Thecodontia
- noun
- Archaic
:
tecodontia
- Scientists note that Thecodontia had teeth set in sockets, a trait shared with later archosaurs.
Examples
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Fossils of Thecodontia have provided important clues about reptile evolution.
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The Thecodontia were dominant terrestrial predators before the rise of dinosaurs.
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The Thecodontia thrived during the late Permian period.
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Did you know that Thecodontia had teeth set in sockets?
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Fossils of Thecodontia have provided important clues about reptile evolution.
-
Scientists note that Thecodontia had teeth set in sockets, a trait shared with later archosaurs.
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The Thecodontia were dominant terrestrial predators before the rise of dinosaurs.
Synonyms
A group of land reptiles that died out long ago and had teeth in sockets
An extinct reptile group that includes early ancestors of dinosaurs, crocodiles, and birds
An extinct reptile thought to be an early ancestor of dinosaurs, crocodiles and birds
Compounds
- Archaic
A group of land reptiles that died out long ago and had teeth in sockets
Surface Forms
Morphology
Thecodontia = theco + dont + ia
The components 'theco' and 'dont' relate to 'socket' and 'tooth', but the specific meaning of an extinct group of reptiles is not derivable from these parts.
Etymology
Thecodontia comes from Greek parts theco- ('case' or 'socket') and -odont ('tooth'), so it literally means 'socket-toothed' reptiles. This is why the name fits: their teeth sat in sockets, and you can remember the -odont part from orthodontist ('tooth' doctor).
