cynodont
cynodont Lexical Profile
cynodont Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of a diverse group of therapsids (advanced mammal-like synapsids) of the clade Cynodontia, which lived from the Late Permian to the Early Cretaceous periods and are recognized as the direct ancestors of modern mammals.
"The fossil record shows that early cynodonts possessed differentiated teeth much like those of modern mammalian carnivores."
• adjective
Relating to or characteristic of the cynodonts, particularly denoting an evolutionary stage intermediate between advanced reptiles and early mammals.
"The paleontologist pointed out the distinct cynodont jaw articulation in the newly discovered skull."
Having canine teeth or dentition resembling that of a dog.
"The jaw structure exhibited classic cynodont dentition with prominent, sharply pointed canines."
• Rhymes for cynodont
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Modern Latin Cynodontia, derived from Greek 'kyōn' (genitive 'kynos') meaning 'dog', and 'odous' (stem 'odont-') meaning 'tooth', referring to their prominently differentiated, dog-like teeth.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.