Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Xantusiidae

plural noun
Xan·​tu·​si·​idae | \ ˌzantəˈsīəˌdē\

Definition of Xantusiidae

: a small family of nocturnal carnivorous ovoviviparous terrestrial lizards of arid southwestern North America

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!

History and Etymology for Xantusiidae

New Latin, from Xantusia, type genus (from János Xántus †1894 Hungarian ornithologist + New Latin -ia) + -idae

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Xantusiidae

Share Xantusiidae

Dictionary Entries near Xantusiidae

Xanthus

xanthyl

Xantus's murrelet

Xantusiidae

xarque

xat

Xaverian

Statistics for Xantusiidae

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Xantusiidae

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

gargantuan

tremendous in size, volume, or degree

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

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