from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Tadpole \Tad"pole`\, n. [OE. tadde toad (AS. t[=a]die,
t[=a]dige) + poll; properly, a toad that is or seems all
head. See {Toad}, and {Poll}.]
1. (Zool.) The young aquatic larva of any amphibian. In this
stage it breathes by means of external or internal gills,
is at first destitute of legs, and has a finlike tail.
Called also {polliwig}, {polliwog}, {porwiggle}, or
{purwiggy}.
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2. (Zool.) The hooded merganser. [Local, U. S.]
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{Tadpole fish}. (Zool.) See {Forkbeard}
(a) .
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