limpet

American  

[lim-pit] / ˈlɪm pɪt /

noun

1. any of various marine gastropods with a low conical shell open beneath, often browsing on rocks at the shoreline and adhering when disturbed.

---

limpet British  

/ ˈlɪmpɪt /

noun

1. any of numerous marine gastropods, such as Patella vulgata ( common limpet ) and Fissurella (or Diodora ) apertura ( keyhole limpet ), that have a conical shell and are found clinging to rocks

2. any of various similar freshwater gastropods, such as Ancylus fluviatilis ( river limpet )

3. (modifier) relating to or denoting certain weapons that are attached to their targets by magnetic or adhesive properties and resist removal

   limpet mines

4. a small open caisson shaped to fit against a dock wall, used mainly in repair work

---

Etymology

Origin of limpet

before 1050; Middle English lempet, Old English lempedu, nasalized variant of *lepedu < Latin lepada, accusative of lepas < Greek lepás limpet

Example Sentences

An increased heart rate can mean the limpet is experiencing heat stress, Lima, Seabra, and colleagues noted in a 2016 study.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 1, 2023

The giant owl limpet is one of the species that has persisted, and we want to identify what traits helped them survive after the Blob ended.

From Salon • Oct. 10, 2021

Navy blamed Iran for a series of limpet mine attacks on vessels that damaged tankers.

From Washington Times • Aug. 3, 2021

Our correspondent is shown fragments of a magnetic limpet mine like those said to be used by the Iranian military.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2019

Her fevered mind fastened like a limpet onto the notion that Estha was somehow responsible for Sophie Mol’s death.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Related Words

• abalone
• clam
• snail