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Definition of cordylid
cordylid
/ˈkɔːr.dɪ.lɪd/
cor · dy · lid
Plural:cordylids
cordylid Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
13
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any lizard belonging to the family Cordylidae, a group of mostly diurnal, insectivorous reptiles native to eastern and southern Africa, characteristically known for having flattened bodies and heavily armored, spiny scales arranged in rings or girdles.
Example
"During the herpetological survey in South Africa, the research team discovered a new species of cordylid hiding deep within the rocky crevices."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for cordylidWord Origin & Etymology
Derived from the zoological family name Cordylidae, from the genus Cordylus (originating from Greek 'kordylos', meaning 'club' or 'swelling') combined with the suffix '-id' which denotes membership in a biological family.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cordylid. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cordylid