parapodium

1 9.9

A small side part like a leg on some sea worms that helps them move and breathe

noun
/ˌpærəˈpoʊdiəm/

Specialized

: parápodo

Each parapodium on the worm aids in both movement and gas exchange.

Examples

Polychaete worms use their parapodia to swim and stabilize themselves in the current.
The parapodium of the polychaete worm helps it crawl across the ocean floor.
A child as young as 12 months old may begin upright mobility using a parapodium, which allows the child to independently stand and may allow the child to ambulate by twisting the upper body and arms.

Academic text (2004)

Surface Forms

parapodium singular

parapodia plural

Morphology

parapodium = para + pod + ium

This is a learned scientific formation built from classical elements, but the parts are not transparent to an average learner and the zoological meaning is specialized.

Etymology

The word parapodium comes from the Greek parts para- meaning 'beside' and pod meaning 'foot', so it is like a 'side foot'. So a parapodium is a small, leg-like flap at the side of a worm that helps it move and breathe.