dicynodont

noun

di·​cyn·​o·​dont (ˌ)dī-ˈsi-nō-ˌdänt How to pronounce dicynodont (audio)
-ˈsī-
: any of a suborder (Dicynodontia) of small, herbivorous, therapsid vertebrates with reduced dentition
dicynodont adjective

Examples of dicynodont in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Pentasaurus goggai, the Late Triassic dicynodont from South Africa that many paleontologists thought couldn’t be. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2018 To work out how these animals evolved their tusks, Dr. Whitney and her colleagues collected bone samples from 10 dicynodont species, among them the tiny, big-eyed Diictodon and the tank-like Lystrosaurus. New York Times, 28 Oct. 2021 Examining the dicynodont skulls, the team found that a shift occurred midway through the group’s evolution: the appearance of soft tissue attachments supporting the teeth, akin to the ligaments present in modern mammals. New York Times, 28 Oct. 2021 This included the dicynodonts, of which the new species is a member, and other ancient relatives of mammals. John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 22 Nov. 2018 The creature, given the scientific name Lisowicia bojani, belongs to the dicynodonts, which were some of the first large herbivores. John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 22 Nov. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dicynodont.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin dicynodont- (taken as stem of Dicynodon, genus name), from di- di- + Greek kyn- (stem of kyṓn "dog") + -odont- -odont; so named from the two canine-like tusks in the upper jaw — more at hound entry 1

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dicynodont was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near dicynodont

Cite this Entry

“Dicynodont.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dicynodont. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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