glyptodon
(ˈglɪptədɒn)
Also -dont.
[mod.L., f. Gr. γλυπτός sculptured + ὀδοντ-, ὀδούς tooth.
According to ordinary rules for the formation and latinization of Gr. compounds, the mod.Lat. nominative should be *glyptodūs (cf. πολυόδους many-toothed). The ending -odon (cf. mastodon, etc.) was inferred from the oblique cases.]
An extinct South American quadruped allied to the armadillos, of the size of an ox, covered with a solid carapace, and having fluted teeth. Hence glyptoˈdontoid a., resembling (that of) a glyptodon.
| 1838 Owen in Sir W. Parish Buenos Ayres 178 e, From the regularly fluted or sculptured form of the tooth, I would propose to name the genus typified by this animal, ‘glyptodon’ (γλυϕω, sculpo, οδους, dens). 1872 Mivart Elem. Anat. 37 Vertebræ..anchylosed together into a solid bone, as in the extinct Glyptodon. 1889 Century Dict., Glyptodont. 1895 E. Bonavia Stud. Evol. Anim. 121, I do not say that the Jaguar is descended from a Glyptodon, but I do say that this mammal descended from some extinct animal with a glyptodontoid carapace. |