selenodont

[ si-lee-nuh-dont ]

/ sɪˈli nəˌdɒnt /

having molar teeth with crowns formed of crescent-shaped cusps.

Origin of selenodont

First recorded in 1880–85; selen(o)- + -odont

se·le·no·don·ty, noun

The molars are selenodont; but as in the Tragulidae the premolars are more of the nature of cutting teeth.

The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia |Frank Evers Beddard
The type genus Xiphodon has selenodont molars and elongated, slender, cutting premolars.

The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia |Frank Evers Beddard
While the molars have the selenodont character of other Pecora, the premolars are more adapted for cutting, with sharp edges.

The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia |Frank Evers Beddard
It has, however, been shown that selenodont teeth always pass through an embryonic bunodont stage.

The Vertebrate Skeleton |Sidney H. Reynolds

The premolars are simple teeth; the molars distinctly bunodont with a tendency in one or two to the selenodont condition.

The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia |Frank Evers Beddard

selenodont

/ (sɪˈliːnəˌdɒnt) /

(of the teeth of certain mammals) having crescent-shaped ridges on the crowns, as in deer

a mammal with selenodont teeth

C19: from seleno- (moon-shaped) + -odont