any of a phylum of invertebrate animals, including the insects, arachnids (e.g. scorpions and spiders), and crustaceans (e.g. crabs and lobsters), that have a jointed body and limbs and usu a hard outer skin that is moulted at intervals: phylum Arthropoda
an invertebrate animal with a jointed body and limbs and usu an outer skin made of chitin, such as an insect, spider, or crustacean
[scientific Latin Arthropoda from arthro- + Greek pod-, pous foot]