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Glite Dictionary
edaphosaurus

edaphosaurus

9.9
A large extinct reptile with a sail on its back
  • noun
  • /ˌɛdəfəˈsɔrəs/
  • Specialized
: edafosaurio
  • The edaphosaurus is notable for the large sail on its back, thought to be used for thermoregulation.

Examples

  • Paleontologists discovered the fossil remains of an edaphosaurus in the Texas Red Beds.

  • Unlike Dimetrodon, edaphosaurus is more distantly related to modern mammals.

  • The edaphosaurus was a fascinating creature of the past.

  • Did you know that the edaphosaurus had a unique dorsal sail?

  • Paleontologists discovered the fossil remains of an edaphosaurus in the Texas Red Beds.

  • The edaphosaurus is notable for the large sail on its back, thought to be used for thermoregulation.

  • Did you know that the edaphosaurus had a unique dorsal sail?

Surface Forms

edaphosaurus singular
edaphosauruses plural

Morphology

edaphosaurus = edaphos + saurus

Formed from classical Greek combining elements ('edaphos' = ground, 'saurus' = lizard) that are not productive standalone English words for most learners, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived by a B1 learner from the parts.

Etymology

Edaphosaurus comes from Greek parts edaphos meaning 'ground' and saurus meaning 'lizard', like in dinosaur. So the name is a 'ground lizard' and fits this heavy, ground-dwelling reptile with a large sail on its back.