Aniliidae

plural noun

An·​i·​li·​idae

-īəˌdē

: a small family of tropical nonvenomous burrowing snakes with vestigial pelvis and vestigial hind legs

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Anilius, type genus (from Anilios, according to Buffon [18th-century French naturalist George-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon] the name of a snake of the genus Typhlops on Cyprus) + -idae -idae

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now