creodont

[ kree-uh-dont ]
/ ˈkri əˌdɒnt /

noun

any of a diverse group of extinct predatory mammals, from the Paleocene to Pleistocene epochs, that constituted the suborder Creodonta, of the order Carnivora, developing along evolutionary lines somewhat parallel to those of the ancestors of modern carnivores and typically having a stocky, doglike body and a long, low skull.

Origin of creodont

< New Latin Creodonta (1875) name of the group, equivalent to cre- (< Greek kréas flesh) + -odont- -odont + -a neuter plural ending

Example sentences from the Web for creodont

British Dictionary definitions for creodont

creodont
/ (ˈkriːəˌdɒnt) /

noun

any of a group of extinct Tertiary mammals some of which are thought to have been the ancestors of modern carnivores: order Carnivora

Word Origin for creodont

C19: from New Latin Creodonta, from Greek kreas flesh + odōn tooth

Scientific definitions for creodont

creodont
[ krēə-dŏnt′ ]

Any of various extinct carnivorous mammals of the order Creodonta of the Paleocene to the Pliocene Epochs. Creodonts had long, low skulls with crests to which chewing muscles were attached. They were the dominant carnivorous mammals for millions of years, and were once believed to be ancestral to modern carnivores.