Petromyzontidae

plural noun

Pet·​ro·​my·​zon·​ti·​dae
-mīˈzäntəˌdē
: a family of cyclostomes (order Hyperoartia) comprising elongated animals that resemble eels or hagfishes, have no barbels and seven pairs of circular gill openings, and feed on the blood of fishes which they obtain by rasping the flesh with their toothed circular mouth see petromyzon compare lamprey
petromyzontoid
¦⸗⸗⸗¦zän‧ˌtȯid
adjective or noun

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Petromyzont-, Petromyzon, type genus + -idae

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!

Dictionary Entries Near Petromyzontidae

Cite this Entry

“Petromyzontidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Petromyzontidae. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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