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fossorial
[ fo-sawr-ee-uhl, -sohr- ]
/ fɒˈsɔr i əl, -ˈsoʊr- /
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adjective Zoology.
digging or burrowing.
adapted for digging, as the hands, feet, and bone structure of moles, armadillos, and aardvarks.
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Origin of fossorial
OTHER WORDS FROM fossorial
sub·fos·so·ri·al, adjectiveWords nearby fossorial
fossil gum, fossiliferous, fossilize, fossil record, fossor, fossorial, fossula, foster, fosterage, foster brother, foster care
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use fossorial in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for fossorial
fossorial
/ (fɒˈsɔːrɪəl) /
adjective
(of the forelimbs and skeleton of burrowing animals) adapted for digging
(of burrowing animals, such as the mole and armadillo) having limbs of this type
Word Origin for fossorial
C19: from Medieval Latin fossōrius from Latin fossor digger, from fodere to dig
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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