Diplopoda

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A class of arthropods characterized by having two pairs of jointed legs per body segment; commonly known as millipedes and known for their elongated bodies; they primarily inhabit moist environments and play a role in decomposing organic matter
2. An extensive group of myriapods distinguished by their segmented bodies with multiple legs, often found in leaf litter, soil, and decaying wood; they contribute to nutrient cycling in ecosystems; their name derives from the Greek for "double-footed"
3. An order of elongated terrestrial invertebrates displaying numerous body segments, each with a pair of legs, which assist in movement through earth and vegetation; they are generally detritivores, feeding on decomposing plant material

Etymology: Diplopoda is a New Latin coinage, built from two Greek roots: "diploos," meaning "double" or "twofold," and "pous," meaning "foot." The name points to the animal's most visible feature: each body segment carries two pairs of legs, where most other arthropods have one. The class was named by the German zoologist Carl Ludwig Koch in the 1840s, and the name has been in scientific use ever since. Because the word was invented by scientists in the 19th century rather than handed down from antiquity, ancient Greeks and Romans did not use it or know the animals under this name. The Greek roots were chosen simply because they describe the creatures accurately and combine neatly, a common practice in taxonomy.

Synonyms: millipedes