Definitions for platypus
ˈplæt ɪ pəs, -ˌpʊs; -ˌpaɪplaty·pus

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. platypus, duckbill, duckbilled platypus, duck-billed platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinusnoun

   small densely furred aquatic monotreme of Australia and Tasmania having a broad bill and tail and webbed feet; only species in the family Ornithorhynchidae

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. platypusnoun

   An egg-laying, semi-aquatic mammal with a bill resembling that of a duck, that has a mole-like body, a tail resembling that of a beaver, a waterproof pelt, and flat webbed feet males have poisonous spurs on the inside of the back legs; Ornithorhynchus anatinus

2. Etymology: From Platypus (originally a genus name, but already used for a type of beetle), from πλατύπους, from πλατύς + πούς.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Platypus

   The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), sometimes referred to as the duck-billed platypus, is a semiaquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. The platypus is the sole living representative or monotypic taxon of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species appear in the fossil record. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. Like other monotremes, it senses prey through electrolocation. It is one of the few species of venomous mammals, as the male platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom, capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, and the first scientists to examine a preserved platypus body (in 1799) judged it a fake, made of several animals sewn together. The unique features of the platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology, and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia. It is culturally significant to several Aboriginal peoples of Australia, who also used to hunt the animal for food. It has appeared as a mascot at national events and features on the reverse of the Australian twenty-cent coin, and the platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales. Until the early 20th century, humans hunted the platypus for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range. Although captive-breeding programs have had only limited success, and the platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution, it is not under any immediate threat. As of 2020, the platypus is a legally protected species in all states where it occurs. It is listed as an endangered species in South Australia and vulnerable in Victoria. The species is classified as a near-threatened species by the IUCN, but a November 2020 report has recommended that it is upgraded to threatened species under the federal EPBC Act, due to habitat destruction and declining numbers in all states.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. platypus

   A platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia known for its unique characteristics. With a duck-bill, beaver-like tail, and otter-like body and webbed feet, it is one of the few mammals that lay eggs instead of giving live birth. It also has the ability to detect electric fields in their prey, using an electro-location sensory system. The male platypus has a venomous spur on its hind foot. The platypus is part of the monotreme family, a group of mammals distinguished by their ability to lay eggs.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Platypusnoun

   the duck mole. See under Duck

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Platypus

   The platypus is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth. It is the sole living representative of its family and genus, though a number of related species have been found in the fossil record. The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate fraud. It is one of the few venomous mammals, the male platypus having a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unique features of the platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia; it has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of its 20-cent coin. The platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales. Until the early 20th century, it was hunted for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range. Although captive breeding programmes have had only limited success and the platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution, it is not under any immediate threat.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Platypus

   plat′i-poos, n. the duck-bill (q.v.). [Gr. platys, flat, pous, a foot.]

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Platypus

   A small aquatic oviparous mammal of the order Monotremata found in Australia and Tasmania.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. platypus

   Song lyrics by platypus -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by platypus on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Egg-laying Mammal

How to pronounce platypus?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say platypus in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of platypus in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of platypus in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of platypus in a Sentence

1. Javier Luque:

   Callichimaera perplexa is so unique and strange that it can be considered the platypus of the crab world, usually we think of crabs as big animals with broad carapaces, strong claws, small eyes in long eyestalks, and a small tail tucked under the body. Well, Callichimaera defies all of these' crabby' features and forces a rethink of our definition of what makes a crab a crab.

2. Gilad Bino:

   The ash in the water and the lack of oxygen would have a severe impact on some areas that coincide with platypus populations.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=platypus
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Platypus
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platypus
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platypus
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=platypus
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=platypus