English edit

Etymology edit

Borrowed from French quadrupède, from Middle French, from Latin stem of quadrupēs (four-footed, a four-footed animal), from quadri- (four-) + stem of pes (foot). Alternatively analyzable as quadru- +‎ -ped.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈkwɒdɹəpɛd/
  • (file)

Noun edit

quadruped (plural quadrupeds)

  1. A four-footed or four-legged animal.
    • 2023 February 22, Stephen Roberts, “Reading... between the lines... to Wales”, in RAIL, number 977, page 56:
      Bradshaw knew nothing of the 'wind of change' that was coming in a century's time, so he contented himself with an exposition on the Vale of the White Horse, "deriving its singular denomination from the gigantic carving of that useful quadruped, on a high chalky hill beyond".
  2. A mammal ambulating on all fours.

Synonyms edit

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Related terms edit

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See also edit