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Glite Dictionary
dicynodont

dicynodont

1 9.9
A plant-eating prehistoric animal with two tusks and beak-like jaws
  • noun
  • /ˈdaɪsɪnəˌdɒnt/
  • Specialized
: dicinodonte
  • The dicynodont was a unique herbivore.
  • the most dicynodonts

Examples

  • A child's curiosity was piqued by a museum display featuring a life-size model of a dicynodont.

  • Scientists believe the dicynodont was one of the most successful herbivores of its time.

  • The fossilized remains of a dicynodont were discovered in the South African desert.

  • Many dicynodonts lived during the Triassic period.

  • During the late Permian and Triassic periods, dicynodonts roamed the Earth as dominant herbivorous reptiles.

  • Paleontologists study fossils to learn more about the unique adaptations of dicynodonts for herbivory.

  • The evolution of dicynodonts marked a significant period in reptile history as they developed specialized beak-like jaws.

Synonyms

Dicynodontia
vsdicynodont
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of plant-eating reptiles with two tusks and a beak that lived long ago

is more technical, naming them therapsids and stressing dominance in late Permian and Triassic

Surface Forms

dicynodont singular
dicynodonts plural

Etymology

Dicynodont comes from Greek parts di- 'two', cyno- 'dog', and -dont 'tooth'. So the name means 'two dog-teeth' and helps you remember these extinct plant-eating animals had two tusks and a beak-like mouth.