centipede

[ sen-tuh-peed ]

noun

1. any of numerous predaceous, chiefly nocturnal arthropods constituting the class Chilopoda, having an elongated, flattened body composed of from 15 to 173 segments, each with a pair of legs, the first pair being modified into poison fangs.

centipede

/ ˈsɛntɪˌpiːd /

noun

1. any carnivorous arthropod of the genera Lithobius, Scutigera, etc, having a body of between 15 and 190 segments, each bearing one pair of legs: class Chilopoda See also myriapod

centipede

/ sĕn′tə-pēd′ /

1. Any of various flattened, wormlike arthropods of the class Chilopoda, whose bodies are divided into many segments, each with one pair of legs. The front legs are modified into venomous pincers used to catch prey.
2. Compare millipede

Other Words From

• cen·tip·e·dal [sen-, tip, -i-dl, sen-t, uh, -, peed, -l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of centipede¹

From the Latin word centipeda, dating back to 1595–1605. See centi-, -pede

Example Sentences

Some have sail-like wings and seem to dance across the sands, others scuttle along like enormous centipedes.

From Nautilus

Giant, armor-scaled centipedes wreaked havoc on the olive groves of the De La Croix family, and they’re still known to hang about.

From Washington Post

Geckos lay their eggs as centipedes and scorpions scuttle by.

From Science News

Along the way, they are displacing other earthworms, centipedes, salamanders and ground-nesting birds.

From Science News For Students

They are all grinding against one another, forming some sort of Human Centipede-like structure.

From The Daily Beast

You must have seen the hilarious South Park parody of The Human Centipede.

From The Daily Beast

It must have been much easier casting the men and women who were in the human centipede in the sequel.

From The Daily Beast

Some who would face a mad bull coolly enough spring with disgust from a cockroach or a centipede.

From Project Gutenberg

There is the electric slug which used to be met with in gardens and roads about Hoinsey Rise; there is also an electric centipede.

From Project Gutenberg

I never see anything of racing people nowadays, or meet anyone except you who knows a horse from a centipede.

From Project Gutenberg

A huge round shot struck the "Centipede," passing through her diagonally, leaving death and wounds in its track.

From Project Gutenberg

With a single motion of the knob he sent their centipede-machine crashing out into the clear circle at the mighty cone's center.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ant
• flea
• insect
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