metatherian

[ met-uh-theer-ee-uh n ]
/ ˌmɛt əˈθɪər i ən /

adjective

belonging or pertaining to the group Metatheria, comprising the marsupial mammals.

noun

a metatherian animal.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
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Origin of metatherian

1875–80; < New Latin Metatheri(a) name of the group (< Greek meta- meta- + thēría, plural of thēríon animal) + -an

Words nearby metatherian

metatarsus latus, metatarsus varus, metate, metathalamus, metatheory, metatherian, metathesis, metathesize, metathorax, metatoluidine, metatrophic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for metatherian

metatherian
/ (ˌmɛtəˈθɪərɪən) /

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the Metatheria, a subclass of mammals comprising the marsupials

noun

any metatherian mammal; a marsupial
Compare eutherian, prototherian

Word Origin for metatherian

C19: from New Latin, from meta- + Greek thērion animal
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