ovoviviparous

[oh-voh-vahy-vip-er-uh s]

adjective Zoology.

producing eggs that are hatched within the body, so that the young are born alive but without placental attachment, as certain reptiles or fishes.

Origin of ovoviviparous

First recorded in 1795–1805; ov(i)- + -o- + viviparous

Related formso·vo·vi·vip·a·rism, o·vo·vi·vi·par·i·ty

[oh-voh-vahy-vuh-par-i-tee] /ˌoʊ voʊˌvaɪ vəˈpær ɪ ti/, o·vo·vi·vip·a·rous·ness, nouno·vo·vi·vip·a·rous·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for ovoviviparity

ovoviviparous

adjective

(of certain reptiles, fishes, etc) producing eggs that hatch within the body of the motherCompare oviparous, viviparous (def. 1)

Derived Formsovoviviparity (ˌəʊvəʊˌvaɪvɪˈpærɪtɪ), noun

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

Word Origin and History for ovoviviparity

ovoviviparous

adj.

1801, from comb. form of ovum + viviparous.

ovoviviparity in Science

ovoviviparous

[ō′vō-vī-vĭp′ər-əs]

Producing eggs that hatch within the female's body. Some fish and reptiles are ovoviviparous. Compare oviparous viviparous.