‖ Placentalia, n. pl. Zool.
(plæsənˈteɪlɪə)
[mod.L. (L. Bonaparte 1837), neuter pl. of placentāl-is adj.: see prec.]
Placental mammals; a primary division of Mammalia, comprising those provided with a placenta: contrasted with Marsupialia and Monotremata. It corresponds to the more recent divisions Monodelphia and Eutheria.
| 1842 in Brande Dict. Sci. etc. 1873 J. Geikie Gt. Ice Age App. 526. |
Hence placenˈtalian, (a) adj., of or pertaining to the Placentalia; (b) n. one of these.
| 1890 in Cent. Dict. 1895 in Syd. Soc. Lex. |