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Glite Dictionary
diapsid reptile

diapsid reptile

9.9
A reptile with two openings in the skull behind each eye, like lizards and crocodiles
  • noun
  • /ˈdaɪæpsɪd ˈrɛptaɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : reptil diápsido
  • The skull structure of a diapsid reptile is characterized by two temporal openings.

Examples

  • Fossil evidence shows that early diapsid reptiles gave rise to modern lizards and snakes.

  • Crocodiles, birds, and tuataras are living descendants of ancient diapsid reptiles.

  • The diapsid reptile is an important part of evolutionary history.

  • Many diapsid reptiles thrived during the Mesozoic era.

  • Crocodiles, birds, and tuataras are living descendants of ancient diapsid reptiles.

  • Fossil evidence shows that early diapsid reptiles gave rise to modern lizards and snakes.

  • The skull structure of a diapsid reptile is characterized by two temporal openings.

Synonyms

diapsid
vsdiapsid reptile
  • Specialized
9.9

A reptile with two holes in the skull behind each eye

uses the formal scientific group label rather than the broader explanatory phrase

Surface Forms

diapsid reptile singular
diapsid reptiles plural

Morphology

diapsid + reptile

The noun phrase is fully compositional: 'diapsid' describes a specific skull condition and 'reptile' is the head noun, so the meaning is directly derivable as 'a reptile that is diapsid (has two openings behind each eye)'. Although 'diapsid' is technical, the modifier+noun structure follows regular English composition, so a learner who knows both constituents will understand the MWE.

Etymology

Diapsid reptile The name diapsid comes from di- meaning 'two' and -apsid meaning 'opening'. It literally describes a reptile with two 'openings' in the skull behind each eye, which helps explain why crocodiles, birds and many lizards are part of this group.