ˈtadˌpōl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English taddepol, from tade, tadde, tode toad + pol head — more at toad , poll
1. : a larval amphibian ; specifically : a frog or toad larva that at hatching has a rounded body with a long fin-bordered tail and external gills soon replaced by internal gills and that subsequently undergoes a metamorphosis in which limbs and lungs are developed, adult body proportions are attained, and the tail and gills are lost
2. : a minute tadpole-shaped larva of an ascidian
3. usually capitalized : mississippian — used as a nickname
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