noun
coextensive with the order Rhynchocephalia: tuataras
• Syn: ↑genus Sphenodon
• Hypernyms: ↑reptile genus
• Member Holonyms: ↑Rhynchocephalia, ↑order Rhynchocephalia
• Member Meronyms: ↑tuatara, ↑Sphenodon punctatum
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/sfee"neuh don', sfen"euh-/, n.
tuatara.
[1875-80; < NL: genus name (orig. Sphaenodon), equiv. to Gk sphen- SPHEN- + -odon -toothed (see -ODONT)]
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Sphēˈnodon noun
1. (Gr odous, odontos a tooth) the reptilian genus, also known as Hatteria, to which the tuatara (qv) belongs
2. (without cap) an animal of this genus
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Main Entry: ↑sphene
Useful english dictionary. 2012.