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Glite Dictionary
placoderm

placoderm

9.9
An extinct fish with bony plates on its head and upper body that had jaws
  • noun
  • /ˈplækəˌdɜrm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : placodermo
  • Placoderms were prehistoric fish known for their armored bodies, dominating the seas during the Devonian period.

Examples

  • Many scientists study placoderms to understand prehistoric life.

  • The placoderm was a dominant fish during the Devonian period.

  • Fossils of placoderms provide crucial insight into the evolution of fish.

  • Many placoderm species thrived before going extinct by the end of the Devonian period.

  • The placoderm was among the earliest vertebrates to develop jaws.

  • Many fossils of placoderms reveal their unique bony plates protecting their heads and upper bodies.

  • Researchers discovered that placoderms had strong jaws and were among the first jawed fish in ancient oceans.

Synonyms

Placodermi
vsplacoderm
  • Specialized
9.9

An extinct group of early fish with bony plates and simple jaws

is the same meaning but used as the singular common term for the group

Surface Forms

placoderm singular
placoderms plural

Morphology

placoderm = placo + derm

The elements are Greek combining forms ('placo-' = plate/flat, '-derm' = skin) that are not productive or recognizable to an average B1 learner, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived from familiar English base words.

Etymology

Placoderm comes from Greek parts placo- meaning 'plate' and -derm meaning 'skin'. These fish had hard bony plates on their head and upper body, so the name 'plate-skin' helps you remember they were armored, prehistoric fish.