diphyodont

American

[dif-ee-uh-dont] / ˈdɪf i əˌdɒnt /

adjective

Zoology.

having two successive sets of teeth, as most mammals.

diphyodont British

/ ˈdɪfɪəʊˌdɒnt /

adjective

having two successive sets of teeth, as mammals (including man) Compare polyphyodont

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of diphyodont

1850–55; < Greek diphy ( ḗs ) double, twofold ( di- di- ¹ + -phyēs, derivative of phyḗ growth, nature, derivative of phȳ́ein to produce, grow) + -odont

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The "grinders" in man, or the teeth in diphyodont Mammals which are not preceded by milk-teeth.

From The Ancient Life History of the Earth A Comprehensive Outline of the Principles and Leading Facts of Palæontological Science by Nicholson, Henry Alleyne

The majority of mammals are diphyodont, though the number of teeth replaced may vary: thus in man twenty teeth of the adult are preceded by a milk set.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023