noun
quadruped
KWOD-ruh-ped
Quadruped (noun) means an animal that walks on four feet or legs. Example: “A horse is a quadruped.”
noun
1
An animal that walks on four feet or legs.
"A horse is a quadruped."
"The fossil showed a large quadruped that once grazed here."
"Most mammals are quadrupeds, though humans are not."
How to use quadruped
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quadruped is any animal that walks on four legs.
When to use it
It is a fairly formal or scientific word, and in everyday speech people say four-legged animal.
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Etymology
The word came into English from French quadrupede, which came from Middle French and ultimately from the Latin quadrupes, meaning four-footed. Latin built it from quadri-, meaning four, and pes, meaning foot.
Synonyms
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tetrapod
Frequently asked questions
What is a quadruped?
A quadruped is an animal that walks on four feet or legs.
How does a quadruped differ from a biped?
A quadruped walks on four legs, while a biped walks on two.
Is a dog a quadruped?
Yes, a dog walks on four legs, so it is a quadruped.
What is the meaning of quadruped?
"quadruped" (noun) means an animal that walks on four feet or legs.
