solenodon

[suh-lee-nuh-don, -len-uh-]

noun

either of two insectivores of the genus Solenodon, resembling a large shrew and having small eyes, a long and pointy snout, and a scaly tail, including the coarse-haired, reddish-brown to grayish-black S. paradoxus of Hispaniola and the finer-haired, usually darker S. cubanus of Cuba: S. paradoxus is an endangered species; S. cubanus is rare and possibly endangered.

Origin of solenodon

1830–40; < New Latin < Greek sōlḗn channel, pipe, syringe + -odōn -toothed (see -odont)

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Examples from the Web for solenodon

Historical Examples of solenodon

The other is a peculiar insectivore (Solenodon paradoxus), the only other representatives of whose family are found in Madagascar.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 7
Various
The occurrence of one aberrant group (Solenodon) in the West Indies is, however, noteworthy.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 5
Various

British Dictionary definitions for solenodon

solenodon

noun

either of two rare shrewlike nocturnal mammals of the Caribbean, Atopogale cubana (Cuban solenodon) or Solenodon paradoxus (Haitian solenodon), having a long hairless tail and an elongated snout: family Solenodontidae, order Insectivora (insectivores)

Word Origin for solenodon

C19: from New Latin, from Latin sōlēn sea mussel, razor-shell (from Greek: pipe) + Greek odōn tooth

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