limpet
word
Definition
A limpet is a small sea animal with a conical shell that sticks very tightly to rocks. The word is also used for a person who refuses to leave or let go of something.
Usage & Nuances
Literal sense (animal) is scientific or coastal; figurative use (clingy person or thing) is often informal and can sound negative. Common in 'stick like a limpet' or 'cling like a limpet.'
Spanish: lapa (molusco) - persona pegajosa (figurado)Portuguese (BR): lapa (molusco) - pessoa grudenta (figurado)Portuguese (PT): lapa (molusco) - pessoa pegajosa (figurado)Chinese (Simplified): 帽贝 - 难摆脱的人（比喻）Chinese (Traditional): 帽貝 - 難擺脫的人（比喻）Hindi: लिम्पेट (समुद्री घोंघा) - चिपकू व्यक्ति (रूपक)Arabic: بَزَّاقَة (رخوي بحري) - شخص لزج (مجازي)Bengali: লিম্পেট (একটি সামুদ্রিক শামুক) - আঁকড়ে থাকা ব্যক্তিRussian: липка (морское животное) - приставучий человекJapanese: カサガイ - しつこく離れない人Vietnamese: ốc bám (động vật biển) - người bám daiKorean: 따개비 (동물) - 집착하는 사람Turkish: patella (deniz canlısı) - yapışkan insanUrdu: لیمپیٹ (سمندری جانور) - چمٹے رہنے والا شخصIndonesian: siput pantai (hewan laut) - orang yang menempel terus
Example Sentences
We found a limpet on the beach.
basic
A limpet shell is shaped like a cone.
basic
The limpet sticks tightly to the rock.
basic
He clung to his mother like a limpet on the first day of school.
natural
My little brother is a real limpet sometimes—he never lets go!
natural
Trying to remove a limpet from a rock is almost impossible.
natural