oviparous

[oh-vip-er-uhs]

adjective

Zoology.

1. producing eggs that mature and hatch after being expelled from the body, as birds, most reptiles and fishes, and the monotremes.

oviparous

/ ˌəʊvɪˈpærɪtɪ, əʊˈvɪpərəs /

adjective

1. (of fishes, reptiles, birds, etc) producing eggs that hatch outside the body of the mother Compare ovoviviparous viviparous

oviparous

1. Producing eggs that hatch outside the body. Amphibians, birds, and most insects, fish, and reptiles are oviparous.

2. Compare ovoviviparous viviparous

Other Word Forms

• oviparity noun
• oviparousness noun
• oviparously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of oviparous¹

From the Latin word ōviparus, dating back to 1640–50. See ovi-, -parous

Example Sentences

They are one of the larger land-animals of Winter, about the size of a fox, oviparous vegetarians with a splendid coat of gray or white fur.

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Humans, after all, are not oviparous — we do not lay eggs.

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Gmelin remarks that the animal emits a phosphoric light; and Captain Cook observed that it is oviparous, and discharged, on being touched, a liquor of the most beautiful purple.

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The class of Vertebrata that includes the birds. µ Aves, or birds, have a complete double circulation, oviparous, reproduction, front limbs peculiarly modified as wings; and they bear feathers.

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Leeches are oviparous, and their ova are discharged in one involucre near the surface and margin of pools, and are hatched by the heat of the sun.

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