platypus

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”). Doublet of flatfoot.

noun

1. A semi-aquatic, egg-laying monotreme 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.
   Victoria's Healesville Sanctuary is celebrating the births of two baby platypuses, in a major milestone. March 2, 2008, “Captive platypus twins make history”, in ABC News