hexapod

1 of 2

noun

hexa·​pod ˈhek-sə-ˌpäd 

: insect sense 1a

hexapod

2 of 2

adjective

1

: six-footed

2

: of or relating to insects

Examples of hexapod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The two configurations have different considerations: building a flight-capable hexapod requires stacking the shoulder blades, whereas the quadruped requires a complete rebuild of the shoulder because real horses cannot lift their forelimbs out to the sides, much less over their back. —Michael B. Habib, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2021

Using this approach, a hexapod robot can adaptively climb steps and between two walls, as well as walk on a pipe, through a narrow space, and over uneven terrain. —IEEE Spectrum, 4 Mar. 2022

For the most part, the critters eat insects and collembolans, a soft-bodied hexapod. —Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 16 Mar. 2017

Adjective

As the hexapod moves, the robotic arm reaches out to grasp the mock satellite. —Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 18 July 2020

This was likely the trait that helped hexapod diversity take off; winged insects can zip away from predators and get at otherwise unreachable foods such as leaves and other insects. —Lucas Joel, Scientific American, 1 May 2018

But advances in the understanding of atmospheric oxygen levels are challenging that idea, explains Sandra Schachat, a paleoentomologist at Stanford University, who led a recent study that modeled the gas's availability during the hexapod gap. —Lucas Joel, Scientific American, 1 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Greek hexapod-, hexapous having six feet, from hexa- + pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

Noun

1668, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1