Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Having or forming three feet, in any sense; making a tripod: as, a tripodal base of support; a tripodal bone.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Having three feet
  • adjective organic chemistry Describing any compound in which three (of the same) functional groups are on three separate chains

Etymologies

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Examples

  • In families without tarsal structures, members move by having only three legs touching the water at any one time (aka tripodal).

    Insecta (Aquatic) 2008

  • The August issue of Scientific American explains how it is possible to swim in curved space-time, and it seems that a tripodal creature, not totally dissimilar in motion to a toad swimming backwards, is ideal for this type of activity.

    Jean Toad and swimming in space-time Gordon McCabe 2009

  • The August issue of Scientific American explains how it is possible to swim in curved space-time, and it seems that a tripodal creature, not totally dissimilar in motion to a toad swimming backwards, is ideal for this type of activity.

    Archive 2009-07-01 Gordon McCabe 2009

  • However, I've published four stories (a fifth will appear this year in Neo-Opsis) about the Arakans, a tripodal space-conquering race who eat the brains of their enemies.

    An interview with Hayden Trenholm ewillett 2008

  • There are seven suspects: one human; a Thrale, political enemies of humans; and five tripodal Gaborians, one of those the victim's doctor, one his successor.

    REVIEW: Alien Crimes edited by Mike Resnick 2007

  • Who knows... maybe there is another set of rules in a different galaxy where the norm is a tripodal three legs and one eye instead of two.

    <a href="http://althouse.blogspot.com/2007/11/will-secular-left-soon-attack-religious.html" title=""Will the secular left soon attack the religious right for being pro Ann Althouse 2007

  • They stood behind a cart that held a tripodal framework.

    Cadmian's Choice Modesitt, L. E. 2006

  • As the transport efficiently piloted itself, Cheloradabh was able to assume a comfortable tripodal stance of relaxation and reply to their questions at leisure.

    Lost And Found Foster, Alan Dean 2004

  • Its expansiveness might be explained by the number of tripodal Sessrimathe, who seemed to be everywhere.

    Lost And Found Foster, Alan Dean 2004

  • With their rounded but roughly triangular bodies facing forward, he could clearly make out the three legs that provided sturdy tripodal support.

    Lost And Found Foster, Alan Dean 2004

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