- Theriodontia
- Theriodontia The`ri*o*don"ti*a, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? (dim.
of ? a beast) + ?, ?, a tooth.] (Paleon.)
An extinct order of reptiles found in the Permian and
Triassic formations in South Africa. In some respects they
resembled carnivorous mammals. Called also {Theromorpha}.
[1913 Webster]
Note: They had biconcave vertebr[ae], ambulatory limbs, and a well-developed pelvis and shoulder girdle. Some of the species had large maxillary teeth. The head somewhat resembled that of a turtle. The Dicynodont is one of the best-known examples. See {Dicynodont}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.