Machairodus

noun

Ma·​chai·​ro·​dus
-dəs
: a genus of saber-toothed cats (subfamily Machairodontinae) of the Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene that were similar to carnivores of the genus Smilodon but often had somewhat smaller canines

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek machaira sword, dagger + New Latin -odus

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Cite this Entry

“Machairodus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Machairodus. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

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