appendage

Everyday

1. An appendage is a part that sticks out from the main body, such as an arm, leg, tail, antenna or fin. tree →
2. An appendage is something added to a bigger, more important thing. tree →

In the lessons

Used in science (insects have jointed appendages; crabs, lobsters, octopus arms), and sometimes in writing about less important attachments.

Examples

• Insects have six legs and two antennae as appendages. tree →
• A lobster uses its front appendages to grab food. tree →
• The octopus has eight appendages called arms. tree →
• Fins are appendages that help fish swim. tree →
• The small shed was an appendage to the big house. tree →
• Some insects can regrow a lost appendage. tree →
• "I am like the luggage," said he; "I am here as a necessary appendage." tree →

Note

Countable. Not the same as the «appendix», a small tube in the body, though the words are related (both from «append», to attach).