preoral

American

[pree-awr-uhl, -ohr-] / priˈɔr əl, -ˈoʊr- /

adjective

Zoology.

situated in front of or before the mouth.

Other Word Forms

preorally adverb

Etymology

Origin of preoral

First recorded in 1865–70; pre- + oral

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Most chelicerates ingest food using a preoral cavity formed by the chelicerae and pedipalps.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The antennae, articulated to the forepart of the head and preoral in position, are long and flexible and consist of fourteen or more segments.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various

To the right of this adoral zone is a single line of preoral cilia.

From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023