‖ Edenˈtata, n. pl.
[mod.L., f. ēdentātus, f. ēdentāre to render toothless, knock a person's teeth out, f. ē out +dent-em tooth.]
An order of Mammalia characterized by the absence of front teeth; represented by the Ant-eater, Armadillo, Sloth, etc.
| 1834 M{supc}Murtrie Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 92 The Edentata, or quadrupeds without front teeth. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. iv. (1878) 99 The three lowest orders of mammals, namely, marsupials, edentata, and rodents. |