ovoviviparous

American  

[oh-voh-vahy-vip-er-uhs] / ˌoʊ voʊ vaɪˈvɪp ər əs /

adjective

Zoology.

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

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ovoviviparous British  

/ ˌəʊvəʊvaɪˈvɪpərəs, ˌəʊvəʊˌvaɪvɪˈpærɪtɪ /

adjective

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

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ovoviviparous Scientific  

/ ō′vō-vī-vĭp′ər-əs /

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

2. Compare oviparous viviparous

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Other Word Forms

• ovoviviparism noun
• ovoviviparity noun
• ovoviviparously adverb
• ovoviviparousness noun

Etymology

Origin of ovoviviparous

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

Example Sentences

Baby sharks are hardcore: Several species of shark are ovoviviparous — the mother retains her eggs inside her body, and her pups hatch and develop in her uterus.

From Washington Post

Descending a little lower, we come to the oviparous and ovoviviparous tribes.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of the dinosaurs may have been ovoviviparous, like some modern serpents.

From Project Gutenberg

Coenogonous: oviparous at one season of the year, ovoviviparous at another, as in Aphididae.

From Project Gutenberg