sciapod
nounUK /ˈsʌɪəpɒd/
Etymology Back-formation from Sciapodes.
1
Human sciences, Mysticism, Mythology, Philosophy, Sciences Greek A member of a mythical race of humans living in Africa, who have one single, large foot which they use to shade themselves from the rays of the sun.
- To the modern viewer, though, it is the weirdness that most enthrals: the rich, demonic and comical features, like the sciapod – a man deploying his single swollen foot to shield himself from the sun.2012, Simon Garfield, On the Map, Profile Books, page 48: