What does centipede mean?
A centipede is a fast-moving, carnivorous arthropod belonging to the class Chilopoda, characterized by a long, flattened, segmented body bearing one pair of legs on each segment. Centipedes are predators: they use a modified pair of legs, called forcipules, to inject venom into insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, which is why even larger species can deliver a painful (though rarely dangerous) bite to humans. They favor damp, dark habitats such as leaf litter, rotting logs, soil, and sometimes basements and bathrooms. Despite their fearsome reputation among the squeamish, centipedes play a useful ecological role by controlling pest populations. The name comes from Latin roots meaning 'hundred feet', though actual leg counts vary widely and always involve an odd number of pairs. Common species range from tiny house centipedes to large tropical forms several inches long.
nounA predatory myriapod arthropod of the class Chilopoda, having a flattened elongated body with one pair of legs per segment and venomous forcipules used to subdue prey.
- Any of various elongated, flattened arthropods of the class Chilopoda with one pair of legs per segment, chiefly nocturnal predators that use venomous claws to capture insects and other small animals.
"The gardener turned over the stone, disturbing a centipede that scurried into the damp soil."
"A giant centipede can overpower prey considerably larger than itself."
"She found a house centipede darting across the bathroom floor at night."
Regular plural formed by adding -es; standard in all varieties of English.
"Tropical rainforests teem with centipedes of every size."
Despite its name meaning 'a hundred legs', no centipede actually has exactly 100 — they always have an odd number of leg pairs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of centipede
The word centipede entered English in the early 17th century, borrowed from French centipède, which derives from Latin centipes, meaning 'having a hundred feet' — from centum ('hundred') plus pes, pedis ('foot'). The Latin root ped- appears throughout English in words such as pedal, pedestrian, and pedestal, while centum underlies century and centimeter. Cognate constructions exist in other languages, such as French mille-pattes, a folk name for myriapods.
How centipede is actually used
Centipede is a neutral, standard term in both scientific and everyday usage; it is countable, with the regular plural 'centipedes'. The word carries no strong connotation, though some people associate house centipedes with alarm or disgust.
Easily confused with centipede
Millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment, are mostly detritus feeders, and are generally harmless, whereas centipedes are predatory with one pair of legs per segment and can deliver a venomous bite.