Haplodont

/ˈhæpləˌdɑnt/ adjective

Definition

Having or relating to teeth with a single cusp or simple, unbranched tooth structure.

Etymology

Same root as haplodon (haplos + odon). Used both as a noun and adjective in paleontology to describe specific dental characteristics in extinct species.

Kelly Says

The word 'haplodont' perfectly demonstrates how scientific terminology preserves information—one word tells you the animal's teeth were simple, which often means it was primitive in geological terms!

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