Smilodon

noun

Smi·​lo·​don

ˈsmīləˌdän

: a genus of saber-toothed cats (subfamily Machairodontinae) of the Pliocene and Pleistocene usually attaining the size of a tiger or lion and having upper canines that extend 7 inches (18 centimeters) or more below the lower jaw and a gape of usually greater than 90 degrees

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek smilē woodcarving knife + New Latin -odon

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