platypus
noun
- a small carnivorous aquatic monotreme mammal (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) of eastern Australia and Tasmania that has a fleshy bill resembling that of a duck, dense fur, webbed feet, and a broad flattened tail
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈplætɪpəs/ / /ˈplætɪpʊs/ / /ˈplætɪˌpʊs/
noun
Etymology: From New Latin Platypus (originally a genus name already in use for a type of beetle), from Ancient Greek πλατύπους (platúpous, “flat-footed”), from πλατύς (platús, “flat”) + πούς (poús, “foot”). Piecewise doublet of flatfoot.
- A semiaquatic monotreme from eastern Australia 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 (Ornithorhynchus anatinus).
“Victoria's Healesville Sanctuary is celebrating the births of two baby platypuses, in a major milestone. […] "They are in fact the offspring of captive-bred platypus, so this is actually the first time we've ever been able to breed from captive-bred parents," she [Paula Watson] said.”