Nettapus
NET-uh-pus
Genus
duck-footed
Literally: duck-foot
| Part | Meaning | Language | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nett- | duck | Greek (nett, -a) | stem nett- from Greek νῆττα (nētta); the doubled -t- in the combining form reflects the Greek stem |
| -a- | connecting vowel | ||
| -pus | foot | Greek (pus, pod-) | nominative singular -pus (< Greek πούς, ποδός); gives the word a masculine grammatical gender in New Latin |
Nettapus is a New Latin genus name formed from two Greek elements: nētta (duck) + pous (foot). It functions as a masculine noun in the nominative singular, serving as the genus name for a group of small perching ducks. The name alludes to the small, duck-like webbed feet characteristic of these birds.
Pronunciation
- NET-uh-pus Antepenult stress: penult vowel 'a' is short and followed by only one consonant (p) before a single following vowel/syllable, so stress falls on the antepenult 'Net-'.
Other readings
The connecting vowel could be read as part of the stem nētta- rather than a separate vowel, giving netta- + -pus directly (same meaning).
The dictionary confirmed 'nett' (Greek, duck) and 'pus/pod' (Greek, foot) as dictionary entries. Nettapus is a real genus of small waterfowl (pygmy geese) in the family Anatidae, described by Brisson 1760. The medial -a- belongs to the Greek stem nētta- (nominative nētta, stem nētt-) and smoothly connects to -pus without a separate connecting vowel being strictly necessary; it is best parsed as part of the noun stem.