A marine animal with cirri (hair-like appendages) used for feeding and movement, belonging to the class Cirripedia—commonly known as barnacles and their relatives.
From Latin cirrus (curl, tendril) + pes/pedis (foot). The compound literally means 'curl-foot,' referring to the distinctive feathery appendages that look like coiled feet extending from the animal's body.
Barnacles, the most famous cirripeds, cement themselves to rocks as adults and can't move—but their planktonic larvae drift freely for weeks before settling down, essentially choosing their permanent home!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.