limpet

lim·pet

noun \ˈlim-pət\

Definition of LIMPET

1

: a marine gastropod mollusk (especially families Acmaeidae and Patellidae) that has a low conical shell broadly open beneath, browses over rocks or timbers in the littoral area, and clings very tightly when disturbed

2

: one that clings tenaciously to someone or something

3

: an explosive device designed to cling magnetically to a metallic surface (as the hull of a ship)

Illustration of LIMPET

Origin of LIMPET

Middle English lempet, from Old English lempedu, from Medieval Latin lampreda lamprey

First Known Use: before 12th century

limpet

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

European limpets (Patella vulgata) with acorn barnacles (Balanus balanoides)—Neville Fox-Davies/Bruce Coleman Inc.

Any of various species of snails that have a flattened shell. Most marine species (subclass Prosobranchia) cling to rocks near shore. A common U.S. species is the Atlantic plate limpet (Acmaea testudinalis) of cold waters. Keyhole limpets have a slit or hole at the apex of the shell. Some limpets (subclass Pulmonata) live in brackish water and freshwater. See also mollusk.