lepospondylous

adjective

lep·​o·​spon·​dy·​lous

1

: having vertebrae enclosing the notochord each of which consists of a cylinder of bone shaped like an hourglass in longitudinal section

—used especially of some extinct stegocephalian amphibians

2

[New Latin Lepospondyli + English -ous] : of or relating to the Lepospondyli

3

: having the vertebral centra develop directly as bone

Word History

Etymology

lepo- + spondylous

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