cavernicolous

adjective

cav·​er·​nic·​o·​lous ˌka-vər-ˈni-kə-ləs How to pronounce cavernicolous (audio)
: inhabiting caves

Examples of cavernicolous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The family therefore provides a model for testing the hypotheses that ecological specialists (stenotopes) evolve from generalist ancestors (eurytopes) and that specialization (in this case to the cavernicolous habitat) is an irreversible, evolutionary dead-end that ultimately leads to extinction. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2010

Word History

Etymology

cavern entry 1 + -i- + -colous, probably after French cavernicole

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cavernicolous was circa 1889

Dictionary Entries Near cavernicolous

Cite this Entry

“Cavernicolous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cavernicolous. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!