diphyodont

American

[dif-ee-uh-dont] / ˈdɪf i əˌdɒnt /

adjective

Zoology.

having two successive sets of teeth, as most mammals.

diphyodont British

/ ˈdɪfɪəʊˌdɒnt /

adjective

having two successive sets of teeth, as mammals (including man) Compare polyphyodont

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of diphyodont

1850–55; < Greek diphy ( ḗs ) double, twofold ( di- di- ¹ + -phyēs, derivative of phyḗ growth, nature, derivative of phȳ́ein to produce, grow) + -odont

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The majority of mammals are diphyodont, though the number of teeth replaced may vary: thus in man twenty teeth of the adult are preceded by a milk set.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various

The "grinders" in man, or the teeth in diphyodont Mammals which are not preceded by milk-teeth.

From The Ancient Life History of the Earth A Comprehensive Outline of the Principles and Leading Facts of Palæontological Science by Nicholson, Henry Alleyne

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023