Definition of Spadefoot

1. Noun. A burrowing toad of the northern hemisphere with a horny spade-like projection on each hind foot.


Definition of Spadefoot

1. n. Any species of burrowing toads of the genus Scaphiopus, esp. S. Holbrookii, of the Eastern United States; -- called also spade toad.

Definition of Spadefoot

1. Noun. Any of several burrowing toads, of the genus ''Caphiopus'', with a spadelike appendage on the hind legs. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Spadefoot

1. Any species of burrowing toads of the genus Scaphiopus, especially. S. Holbrookii, of the Eastern United States. Synonym: spade toad. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Spadefoot

spaddle
spaddles
spade
spade bit
spade casino
spade fingers
spade hand
spadea
spadeas
spadebone
spadebones
spaded
spadefish
spadefishes
spadefoot (current term)
spadefoot toad
spadefoots
spadeful
spadefuls
spadeless
spadelike
spademan
spademen
spader
spaders
spades
spadesful
spadetail
spadewise

Literary usage of Spadefoot

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Frog Book: North American Toads and Frogs, with a Study of the Habits by Mary Cynthia Dickerson (1906)
"The spadefoot, now quite awake and alert (Fig. 15) begins trying to escape. He does not stealthily creep away as do many of the toads; he does not startle ..."

2. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington by Biological Society of Washington (1882)
"This type of spadefoot must be exceedingly rare in Texas. ... It requires comparison only with the eastern spadefoot, from which it may be distinguished by ..."

3. Read & Understand, Nonfiction Grades 4-6 by Tekla N. White, Marilyn Evans, Evan-Moor Corporation (1999)
"The name "spadefoot" comes from the tubercules on each hind foot. ... In fact, the spadefoot stays underground most of the time. After a spring rain, ..."

4. Spanish/English Read & Understand Nonfiction by Delana Heidrich, Kathleen Simpson, Ana Shirazi, Tekla White (2005)
"The tadpoles swim away once they hatch from the eggs. spadefoot Toad ... The name "spadefoot" comes from the tubercules on each hind foot. ..."

5. The Myxomycetes of Colorado by William Codman Sturgis (1907)
"It is here that adult spadefoot toads are found at depths varying from a few ... DESCRIPTION The spadefoot toad is rather small, the total length of body ..."

6. Ecology, Diversity and Sustainability of the Middle Rio Grande Basin edited by Deborah M. Finch, Joseph A. Tainter (1996)
"... Endangered, and Candidate Species tiger salamander Plains spadefoot toad Couch's spadefoot toad New Mexico spadefoot toad Great Plains toad Plains ..."

7. The Future of Arid Grasslands: Identifying Issues, Seeking Solutions edited by Barbara Tellman (1999)
"COUCH'S spadefoot-Scap/i/opus couchii. Abundant in lowland areas ... SOUTHERN spadefoot--Scap/i/opus multiplicatus. Abundant over a wide area of the SSV, ..."

8. Ecosystem Disturbance and Wildlife Conservation in Western Grasslands: A edited by Deborah M. Finch (1998)
"Couch's spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus couchi) normally emerges from its burrows to ... spadefoot toads exposed to motorcycle sounds respond by leaving their ..."

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