from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Myriapoda \Myr`i*ap"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? 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]
Note: The existing Myriapoda are divided into three orders:
{Chilopoda}, {Chilognatha} or {Diplopoda}, and
{Pauropoda} (see these words in the Vocabulary). Large
fossil species (very different from any living forms)
are found in the Carboniferous formation.
[1913 Webster]