synapsid
English
Etymology
From translingual Synapsida, from syn- + Ancient Greek ἁψίς (hapsís, “arch”).
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /sɪˈnapsɪd/
Adjective
synapsid (comparative more synapsid, superlative most synapsid)
- Pertaining to the class Synapsida, of animals which have an opening low in the skull roof behind each eye, leaving a bony arch beneath each.
- 1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial, published 2000, page 26:
- We are synapsid tetrapods, a group of reptiles that almost went extinct 200 million years ago in competition with the better-designed dinosaurs.
Synonyms
- mammal-like reptile (dated)
- stem mammal
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