limpet

noun

1. any of various marine gastropods with a low conical shell open beneath, often browsing on rocks at the shoreline and adhering when disturbed.

noun

1. any of numerous marine gastropods, such as Patella vulgata (common limpet) and Fissurella (or Diodora) apertura (keyhole limpet), that have a conical shell and are found clinging to rocks
2. any of various similar freshwater gastropods, such as Ancylus fluviatilis (river limpet)
3. (modifier) relating to or denoting certain weapons that are attached to their targets by magnetic or adhesive properties and resist removallimpet mines
4. a small open caisson shaped to fit against a dock wall, used mainly in repair work

n.marine gastropod mollusk, early 14c., from Old English lempedu, from Medieval Latin lampreda “limpet” (see lamprey).