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Glite Dictionary
Monodontidae

Monodontidae

9.9
A family of Arctic whales that includes the narwhal and beluga
  • noun
  • /ˌmɒnəˈdɒntɪdeɪ/
  • Specialized
: Monodontidae
  • The Monodontidae family includes the narwhal and the beluga.

Examples

  • The Monodontidae family includes both the narwhal and the beluga whale.

  • Scientists study Monodontidae to better understand Arctic marine life.

  • Members of the Monodontidae are well adapted to cold northern waters.

  • Did you know that Monodontidae are known for their unique tusks?

  • The Monodontidae family includes both the narwhal and the beluga whale.

  • Members of the Monodontidae are well adapted to cold northern waters.

  • Scientists study Monodontidae to better understand Arctic marine life.

Surface Forms

Monodontidae singular
Monodontidaes plural

Morphology

Monodontidae = Monodon (opaque) = Monodon + idae

This is a technical taxonomic formation: the Latinized genus name plus the specialized family suffix '-idae', which is not transparently meaningful to average learners.

Etymology

Monodontidae comes from the parts mono- 'one', odont 'tooth', and -idae 'family'. Think of the narwhal's long single tusk, which is really a tooth, and you get the 'one-tooth family' name for these Arctic whales.