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Dictionary Language resources

tadpole

Pronunciation: /ˈtadpəʊl/

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Definition of tadpole

noun

the tailed aquatic larva of an amphibian (frog, toad, newt, or salamander), breathing through gills and lacking legs until the later stages of its development.

Origin:

late 15th century: from Old English tāda 'toad' + poll (probably because the tadpole seems to consist of a large head and a tail in its early development stage)