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: a type of ocean animal that has a shell and that is able to attach itself to things (such as rocks) very tightly
Full Definition of LIMPET
: a marine gastropod mollusk (especially families Acmaeidae and Patellidae) that has a low conical shell broadly open beneath, browses over rocks or timbers in the littoral area, and clings very tightly when disturbed
: one that clings tenaciously to someone or something
: an explosive device designed to cling magnetically to a metallic surface (as the hull of a ship)
Middle English lempet, from Old English lempedu, from Medieval Latin lampreda lamprey
First Known Use: before 12th century
European limpets (Patella vulgata) with acorn barnacles (Balanus balanoides)—Neville Fox-Davies/Bruce Coleman Inc.
Any of various species of snails that have a flattened shell. Most marine species (subclass Prosobranchia) cling to rocks near shore. A common U.S. species is the Atlantic plate limpet (Acmaea testudinalis) of cold waters. Keyhole limpets have a slit or hole at the apex of the shell. Some limpets (subclass Pulmonata) live in brackish water and freshwater. See alsomollusk.