Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
acrodont

acrodont

9.9
An animal whose teeth are attached to the top edge of the jawbone without holes
  • noun
  • /ˈækrəˌdɒnt/
  • Specialized
: acrodonte
  • Some lizards are classified as acrodonts because their teeth are fused to the top of the jawbone.

Examples

  • The acrodont condition differs from pleurodont and thecodont types of tooth attachment.

  • Many reptiles, such as some lizards, are acrodonts.

  • Paleontologists identified the fossil as an acrodont based on the structure of the jaw and teeth.

  • The acrodont species has unique dental features.

  • Paleontologists identified the fossil as an acrodont based on the structure of the jaw and teeth.

  • Some lizards are classified as acrodonts because their teeth are fused to the top of the jawbone.

  • Many reptiles, such as some lizards, are acrodonts due to their unique tooth attachment.

Surface Forms

acrodont singular
acrodonts plural

Morphology

acrodont = acro + dont

The elements are specialized Greek combining forms used in technical biological terminology and are unlikely to be productive or meaningful to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Acrodont comes from two Greek parts: acro- meaning 'top' (as in acrobat) and -dont meaning 'tooth' (as in orthodontist). So acrodont literally means 'top-tooth', which helps you remember that acrodont animals have their teeth attached to the top edge of the jaw.