eohippus

[ ee-oh-hip-uhs ]

noun

1. the earliest known horse, a member of the extinct genus Hyracotherium ( Eohippus ), from the early Eocene Epoch of the Northern Hemisphere; a terrier-sized herbivore having four hoofed toes on each forefoot and three on each hind foot, and low-crowned teeth.

eohippus

/ ˌiːəʊˈhɪpəs /

noun

1. the earliest horse: an extinct Eocene dog-sized animal of the genus with four-toed forelegs, three-toed hindlegs, and teeth specialized for browsing

eohippus

/ ē′ō-hĭp′əs /

1. See hyracotherium

Word History and Origins

Origin of eohippus¹

1875–80; < New Latin, equivalent to eo- eo- + Greek híppos horse

Word History and Origins

Origin of eohippus¹

C19: New Latin, from eo- + Greek hippos horse

Example Sentences

The oldest of these creatures that lead to the horses is called Eohippus or beginning horse.

From Project Gutenberg

He would not be more astonished than would the ancient Eohippus on meeting with a modern dray-horse.

From Project Gutenberg

He had framed out another plan for the little eohippus—namely, to give him to Miss Ellinor.

From Project Gutenberg

The earliest stage that we can trace with certainty, in this line of descent, is found in the eohippus of Marsh.

From Project Gutenberg

Orohippus was but little larger than Eohippus, and in most other respects very similar.

From Project Gutenberg