platypus
platypus Lexical Profile
platypus Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal (monotreme) endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania, characterized by a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a flat, beaver-like tail.
"While visiting the wildlife sanctuary in Sydney, the students were thrilled to see a live platypus swimming in the creek."
A thing or idea that appears to be an awkward, unlikely, or bizarre hybrid of completely disparate elements.
"The proposed tax legislation ended up being a political platypus, awkwardly combining conservative and progressive ideas into one incoherent bill."
Word Nuance & Usage
The standard English plural is 'platypuses'; the form 'platypi' is a common hypercorrection mistakenly applying a Latin suffix to a word of Greek origin.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Late 18th century: via modern Latin from Greek platupous, meaning 'flat-footed' (from platus 'flat' + pous 'foot').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.