Category:Tadpole

Tad"pole`, n. Etym: [oe. tadde toad (as. tadie, tadige) + poll; Properly, a toad that is or seems all head. See toad, and poll.]

1. (zoöl.)

Defn: the young aquatic larva of any amphibian. In this stage it Breathes by means of external or internal gills, is at first Destitute of legs, and has a finlike tail. Called also polliwig, Polliwog, porwiggle, or purwiggy.

2. (zoöl.)

Defn: the hooded merganser. [local, u.s.] Tadpole fish. (zoöl.) See Forkbeard (a).