synapsid

English

Etymology

From Translingual Synapsida, from syn- + Ancient Greek ἁψίς (hapsís, “arch”).

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /sɪˈnapsɪd/

Adjective

synapsid (comparative more synapsid, superlative most synapsid)

  1. Pertaining to the class Synapsida, of animals which have an opening low in the skull roof behind each eye, leaving a bony arch beneath each.
    • 1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial 2000, p. 26:
      We are synapsid tetrapods, a group of reptiles that almost went extinct 200 million years ago in competition with the better-designed dinosaurs.

Noun

synapsid (plural synapsids)

  1. Any animal (including all mammals) of the class Synapsida.
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