monotreme

mono·treme

noun \ˈmä-nə-ˌtrēm\

Definition of MONOTREME

: any of an order (Monotremata) of egg-laying mammals comprising the platypuses and echidnas

Origin of MONOTREME

New Latin Monotremata, from Greek mon- + trēmat-, trēma hole — more at trematode

First Known Use: 1835

Rhymes with MONOTREME

academe, balance beam, blow off steam, buttercream, clotted cream, disesteem, double-team, enthymeme, heavy cream, misesteem, on the beam, self-esteem, treponeme

mono·treme

noun \ˈmän-ə-ˌtrēm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of MONOTREME

: any mammal (as a platypus) of the order Monotremata

monotreme

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of three living species of egg-laying mammals (order Monotremata): the platypus and two species of echidna. Monotremes are found only in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. Except for their egg laying, they have mammalian characteristics, such as mammary glands, hair, and a complete diaphragm. They lack teats; the young suck milk through pores on the mother's skin. The earliest fossil monotremes, found in Australia, are only about 2 million years old and differ little from present species. Monotremes probably originated from a line of mammal-like reptiles different from the line that gave rise to placental mammals and marsupials.