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Glite Dictionary
perissodactyl

perissodactyl

9.9
A group of hoofed mammals with an odd number of toes like horses, rhinos, and tapirs
  • noun
  • /pəˈrɪsəˌdæktɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : perisodáctilo
  • Scientists study perissodactyl fossils to learn more about the evolution of hoofed animals.

Examples

  • The rhinoceros is a large perissodactyl known for its thick skin and impressive horn.

  • But what was he to do with this monstrous perissodactyl?

    Fiction book (1999)

  • "thick-skinned perissodactyl mammals...

    Fahrenheit 451 (1966)

  • Horses, tapirs, and rhinoceroses are examples of perissodactyl mammals that have an odd number of toes.

Synonyms

perissodactyl mammal
vsperissodactyl
  • Specialized
9.9

A mammal with hooves and an odd number of toes, like a horse or rhino

means the same but uses the standard single word scientific name
odd-toed ungulate
vsperissodactyl
  • Specialized
9.9

An animal with hooves and an odd number of toes, like horses or rhinos

means the same but is the formal taxonomic term

Compounds

perissodactyl mammal
  • Specialized
9.9

A mammal with hooves and an odd number of toes, like a horse or rhino

Surface Forms

perissodactyl singular
perissodactyls plural

Morphology

perissodactyl = dactyl (opaque) = perisso + dactyl

Formed from Greek combining elements ('perisso-' 'dactyl') that are not productive or familiar to average learners, so the meaning is not directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Perissodactyl comes from Greek parts perissos meaning 'odd' and dactyl meaning 'toe' or 'finger', so it literally says 'odd-toed'. That's why animals like the horse, rhinoceros, and tapir are called perissodactyls — they have an odd number of toes on each foot.