centipede

noun

cen·​ti·​pede ˈsen-tə-ˌpēd 

: any of a class (Chilopoda) of long flattened many-segmented predaceous arthropods with each segment bearing one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is modified into poison fangs

Illustration of centipede

Examples of centipede in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But centipedes have all their body segments already in place at birth, according to the study authors. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024

Fossils of ancient arthropods — a group of animals including spiders, centipedes, and insects — are especially rare, because they are made up primarily of soft tissue, which usually starts decaying days after death. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024

Lawns: Warm-season grasses such as St. Augustine, zoysia, centipede, Bermuda, and Bahia require about 1 inch of water if no rainfall has occurred within three weeks. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2024

Previously, scientists thought the two arthropods had a more distant relationship, but in recent years, genetic studies have shown that millipedes and centipedes were more closely related. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin centipeda, from centi- + ped-, pes foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

centipede

noun

cen·​ti·​pede ˈsent-ə-ˌpēd 

: any of a class of long flattened arthropods that have many segments with each segment having one pair of legs except for the first segment which has a pair of poison fangs compare millipede

Etymology

from Latin centipeda "centipede," from centi- "hundred" and -peda, from ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian

Medical Definition

centipede

noun

cen·​ti·​pede ˈsent-ə-ˌpēd 

: any member of the class Chilopoda of long flattened many-segmented predaceous arthropods with each segment bearing one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is modified into poison fangs