Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

Caenolestidae

plural noun
Save Word
Cae·​no·​les·​ti·​dae

Definition of Caenolestidae

: a family of diprotodont marsupials that includes all recent diprotodonts occurring outside the Australian region and many extinct related forms — see caenolestes

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of Caenolestidae

circa 1904, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Caenolestidae

New Latin, from Caenolestes, type genus + -idae

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Caenolestidae

Time Traveler for Caenolestidae

Time Traveler

The first known use of Caenolestidae was circa 1904

See more words from the same year

Statistics for Caenolestidae

Cite this Entry

“Caenolestidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Caenolestidae. Accessed 5 Jul. 2020.

Comments on Caenolestidae

What made you want to look up Caenolestidae? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

deracinate

Listen to the pronunciation of deracinate

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

A More Exception(al) Quiz

  • hot dog hot dog hot dog hot dog cat
  • Which of the following words is not a synonym for ‘a young person’?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games