metatherian

[ met-uh-theer-ee-uhn ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the group Metatheria, comprising the marsupial mammals.

noun

1. a metatherian animal.

metatherian

/ ˌmɛtəˈθɪərɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Metatheria, a subclass of mammals comprising the marsupials

noun

1. any metatherian mammal; a marsupial

Word History and Origins

Origin of metatherian¹

1875–80; < New Latin Metatheri ( a ) name of the group (< Greek meta- meta- + thēría, plural of thēríon animal) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of metatherian¹

C19: from New Latin, from meta- + Greek thērion animal

Example Sentences

Only one of these is a metatherian; these marsupial ancestors, once so abundant in the Cretaceous, were nearly extinguished.

From Scientific American

That context is part of what makes a new Eocene metatherian stand out.

From Scientific American

In the ensuing Paleogene, it was the placental mammals that took advantage of the metatherian demise and blossomed into the many familiar groups we know today, including our primate forebears.

From Scientific American

Extinct metatherian mammals who are related to today’s marsupials might not have dominated in the days of the dinosaurs, but they did quite well for themselves in the shadow of the ancient giants.

From Forbes

Where the metatherian lived might have had something to do with that. 

From Scientific American