from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Apod \Ap"od\, Apode \Ap"ode\, n.; pl. {Apods}or {Apodes}. [Gr.
?, ?, footless; 'a priv. + ?, ?, foot.] (Zool.)
One of certain animals that have no feet or footlike organs;
esp. one of certain fabulous birds which were said to have no
feet.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The bird of paradise formerly had the name {Paradisea
apoda}, being supposed to have no feet, as these were
wanting in the specimens first obtained from the East
Indies.
[1913 Webster]