Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
supraocular

supraocular

9.9
A plate or ridge above the eye on some animals
  • adjective
  • /ˌsuːprəˈɒkjʊlər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : supraocular
  • The lizard is distinguished by a supraocular scale above each eye.

Examples

  • Certain snakes have supraocular plates that help protect their eyes.

  • Researchers observed a prominent supraocular ridge on the bird's skull.

  • The supraocular ridge is an important feature in many reptiles.

  • In birds, the supraocular area can be brightly colored.

  • Certain snakes have supraocular plates that help protect their eyes.

  • Researchers observed a prominent supraocular ridge on the bird's skull.

  • The lizard is distinguished by a supraocular scale above each eye.

Synonyms

supraorbital
vssupraocular
  • Specialized
2 9.9

A part of the forehead above the eye socket

is used mainly in anatomical descriptions rather than general use

Surface Forms

supraocular positive

Morphology

supraocular = ocular (semi-transparent) = supra + ocular

The prefix 'supra-' means 'above' and combines transparently with 'ocular', but 'supra-' is a technical Latinate prefix and the term is mainly anatomical, so learners may not immediately infer it.

Etymology

Supraocular breaks into supra- 'above' and ocular 'eye', and ocular is the same part you see in binocular, which means 'two eyes'. So, supraocular means 'above the eye' and names a scale, ridge, or bone that sits just over the eye.