First Known Use: circa 1852
Dictionary
perissodactyl
noun pe·ris·so·dac·tyl \pə-ˈri-sə-ˌdak-təl\
Definition of PERISSODACTYL
: any of an order (Perissodactyla) of nonruminant ungulate mammals (as a horse, a tapir, or a rhinoceros) that usually have an odd number of toes, molar teeth with transverse ridges on the grinding surface, and the posterior premolars resembling true molars
— perissodactyl adjective
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Origin of PERISSODACTYL
New Latin Perissodactyla, from Greek perissos excessive, odd in number + daktylos finger, toe
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