Osteoderm

Pronunciation: /ɑːstiəʊdɜːrm/

Definitions of osteoderm

noun a bony plate or scale that forms part of the dermal armor of certain reptiles

Example Sentences

A1 An osteoderm is a bony plate that forms part of the dermal armor of some reptiles.

A2 The osteoderms on the back of the armadillo provide protection from predators.

B1 Paleontologists study the fossilized osteoderms of ancient creatures to learn more about their anatomy.

B2 The intricate patterns on the osteoderms of the crocodile are unique to each individual.

C1 The evolution of osteoderms in vertebrates is a topic of ongoing research in the field of paleobiology.

C2 The presence of osteoderms in certain dinosaur species suggests they may have had a defensive function in combat or protection.

Examples of osteoderm in a Sentence

formal The osteoderms of the crocodile provide protection and support for its body.

informal Check out the cool bony plates on the crocodile's back, those are called osteoderms.

slang That croc's got some serious armor with those osteoderms!

figurative Just like the osteoderms on a crocodile, sometimes we need to put up our own barriers for protection.

Grammatical Forms of osteoderm

• plural: osteoderms
• comparative: more osteoderm
• superlative: most osteoderm
• present tense: osteoderm
• future tense: will osteoderm
• perfect tense: has osteoderm
• continuous tense: is osteoderming
• singular: osteoderm
• positive degree: osteoderm
• infinitive: to osteoderm
• gerund: osteoderming
• participle: osteodermed

Origin and Evolution of osteoderm

First Known Use: 1839 year

Language of Origin: Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'osteoderm' originates from the combination of the Greek words 'osteon' meaning bone, and 'derma' meaning skin.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in the field of paleontology to describe bony plates or scales embedded in the skin of certain animals, the term 'osteoderm' has since been adopted in the study of anatomy to refer to bony structures found within the skin or dermis.