Tad"pole` (?), n. [OE. tadde toad (AS. tādie, tādige) + poll; properly, a toad that is or seems all head. See Toad, and Poll.] 1. (Zoöl.) The young aquatic larva of any amphibian. In this stage it breathes by means of external or internal gills, is at first destitute of legs, and has a finlike tail. Called also polliwig, polliwog, porwiggle, or purwiggy.

2. (Zoöl.) The hooded merganser. [Local, U. S.]

Tad"pole` (?), n. [OE. tadde toad (AS. tādie, tādige) + poll; properly, a toad that is or seems all head. See Toad, and Poll.] 1. (Zoöl.) The young aquatic larva of any amphibian. In this stage it breathes by means of external or internal gills, is at first destitute of legs, and has a finlike tail. Called also polliwig, polliwog, porwiggle, or purwiggy.

2. (Zoöl.) The hooded merganser. [Local, U. S.]

• A young toad or frog in its larval stage of development that lives in water, and, like a fish, breathes through gills and has no legs. A polliwog.