What Does Gastropod Literally Mean?

The word gastropod comes from Greek and means “stomach foot,” a name that owes its existence to the unusual anatomy of snails. ... This foot runs along the underside of the animal-essentially along its belly.

What does the name gastropod literally mean?

gastropod (n.)

1826, gasteropod (spelling without -e- by 1854), from Modern Latin Gasteropoda, name of a class of mollusks, from Greek gaster (genitive gastros) "stomach" (see gastric) + pous (genitive podos) "foot" (from PIE root *ped- "foot"). From the ventral position of the mollusk's "foot."

Does gastropod mean single foot?

Any of numerous mollusks of the class Gastropoda, characteristically having a single, usually coiled shell or no shell at all, a ventral muscular foot, and eyes and tentacles located on a distinct head, and including the snails, slugs, cowries, and limpets. ...