Small pools of liquid, especially water, on a surface. Shallow collections of water remaining after rain or formed by spillage.
From Middle English podel, possibly from Old English pudd meaning 'ditch' or 'furrow,' though the exact origin is uncertain. The word may be related to puddle as a diminutive form, referring to small collections of water.
Puddles are actually temporary ecosystems that can support unique microscopic life forms, including fairy shrimp and various bacteria that specialize in these ephemeral habitats. The physics of puddle formation involves fascinating surface tension principles - watch how a puddle's edge creates a perfect meniscus that demonstrates the molecular forces holding water together.
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