1 oreodont | Definition of oreodont

oreodont

noun
ore·​odont | \ -nt\
plural oreodonts

Definition of oreodont

: any of several extinct, four-toed, ruminant, artiodactyl mammals (families Merycoidodontidae and Agriochoeridae) living in North America from the Eocene to the early Pliocene and having a general resemblance to swine in form with a short face, a long body, and short legs A closer look revealed bone fragments and teeth of an oreodont—a sheep-sized mammal that grazed here in herds thirty million years ago. — John Madson, in Words from the Land, 1988

Other Words from oreodont

oreodont adjective
Because oreodont fossils are so common, this one was documented and left in place. — Tom Majeski, St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press, 19 Aug. 2000

First Known Use of oreodont

1869, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for oreodont

New Latin Oreodontidae

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