edentate

[ ee-den-teyt ]
/ iˈdɛn teɪt /

adjective

belonging or pertaining to the Edentata, an order of New World mammals characterized by the absence of incisors and canines in the arrangement of teeth and comprising the armadillos, the sloths, and the South American anteaters.

noun

an edentate mammal.

Origin of edentate

1820–30; < Latin ēdentātus deprived of teeth, equivalent to ē- e-1 + dent- (stem of dēns) tooth + -ātus -ate1

Example sentences from the Web for edentate

British Dictionary definitions for edentate

edentate
/ (iːˈdɛnteɪt) /

noun

any of the placental mammals that constitute the order Edentata, which inhabit tropical regions of Central and South America. The order includes anteaters, sloths, and armadillos

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the order Edentata

Word Origin for edentate

C19: from Latin ēdentātus lacking teeth, from ēdentāre to render toothless, from e- out + dēns tooth

Medical definitions for edentate

edentate
[ ē-dĕntāt′ ]

adj.

Lacking teeth.

Scientific definitions for edentate

edentate
[ ē-dĕntāt′ ]

Adjective

Lacking teeth.

Noun

Any of various mammals belonging to the order Xenarthra (or Edentata), having no front teeth and few or no back teeth. The lumbar vertebrae have extra joints, which add support during digging. Sloths, armadillos, and anteaters are edentates.