| Myriapoda | ‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; numberless + -poda. ] (Zool.) A class, or subclass, of arthropods, related to the hexapod insects, from which they differ in having the body made up of numerous similar segments, nearly all of which bear true jointed legs. They have one pair of antennae, three pairs of mouth organs, and numerous tracheae, similar to those of true insects. The larvae, when first hatched, often have but three pairs of legs. See Centiped, Galleyworm, Milliped. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ The existing Myriapoda are divided into three orders: |
| superclass myriapoda | (n) used in some classifications to encompass the millipedes (Diplopoda) and centipedes (Chilopoda); formerly a large taxon including also the Pauropoda and Symphyla; the term Myriapoda now usually used synonymously with Diplopoda and limited to the millipedes |
| diplopoda | (n) arthropods having the body composed of numerous double somites each with two pairs of legs: millipedes, Syn. class Myriapoda, class Diplopoda, Myriapoda |
| Myriapoda | ‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; numberless + -poda. ] (Zool.) A class, or subclass, of arthropods, related to the hexapod insects, from which they differ in having the body made up of numerous similar segments, nearly all of which bear true jointed legs. They have one pair of antennae, three pairs of mouth organs, and numerous tracheae, similar to those of true insects. The larvae, when first hatched, often have but three pairs of legs. See Centiped, Galleyworm, Milliped. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ The existing Myriapoda are divided into three orders: |