apus

1 of 4

noun (1)

"

plural apuses

-əsə̇z

or apodes

ˈapəˌdēz

: a crustacean of the genus Triops certain tropical forms of which are destructive pests of young rice

Apus

2 of 4

noun (2)

ˈā-pəs 

ˈä-

: a genus of birds containing the typical Old World swifts

Apus

3 of 4

ˈā-pəs 

ˈä-

taxonomic synonym of triops

Apus

4 of 4

noun

ˈā-pəs 

astronomy

: a faint constellation visible near the south celestial pole that is represented by the figure of a bird of paradise

Unfortunately, Apus is a latter-day construct, conjured by Dutch navigators around the turn of the 17th century and not imagined (or even seen) by ancient Greek herders.

—Jesse Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sept. 2007

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

New Latin Apus entry 2

Noun (2)

New Latin, from Latin apod-, apus swallow supposed to be footless, from Greek apod-, apous sand-martin, swift, from apod-, apous footless, from a- a- entry 2 + pod-, pous foot

New Latin, from Greek apod-, apous footless

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1774, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1702, in the meaning defined above

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