monotrematous

Variant of monotreme

monotreme definition

mono·treme (män′ō trēm′, män′ə-)

noun

any of the lowest order (Monotremata) of mammals, consisting of the platypus and the echidnas, which lay eggs and have a single opening for the digestive and urinary tracts and genital organs

Etymology: < ModL Monotremata < Gr monos, single (see mono-) + trēma, a hole < IE base *ter-, to rub, drill > throw

Related Forms:

  • monotrematous mon′o·trem′a·tous (-trem′ə təs, -trē′mə-) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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