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limpet

/ˈlɪmpɪt/
/ˈlɪmpɪt/
IPA guide

Other forms: limpets

A limpet is a mollusk with a low, conical shell. It's an aquatic snail that attaches itself to rocks in coastal areas.

The single, powerful foot of a limpet works like a suction cup to keep it firmly attached to rocks. Limpets can crawl along the rocks to which they are attached. Over time, a limpet's hard shell grinds a "home scar" into the rock. The limpet ventures from its home scar to graze on algae, and then returns to the same spot. The word limpet is also used figuratively to describe someone that clings tenaciously to another person or to something, such as a cause.

Definitions of limpet
  1. noun
    an aquatic snail with a low, cone-shaped shell and a muscular foot used to attach itself to rocks
    see moresee less
    type of:
    shellfish
    meat of edible aquatic invertebrate with a shell (especially a mollusk or crustacean)
  2. noun
    (figurative) a person who attaches to and clings unshakably to someone or something
  3. noun
    an explosive device that is attached to something, such as the hull of a ship, to be detonated remotely
    synonyms: limpet mine
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