Definition of Odontoceti in English:
Odontoceti
plural noun əʊˌdɒntə(ʊ)ˈsiːtiōˌdän(t)əˈsēdē
Zoology A division of the whales that comprises the toothed whales.
Suborder Odontoceti, order Cetacea
Example sentencesExamples
- Modern whales may be divided into two subgroups: the Odontoceti (toothed whales) and the Mysticeti (baleen whales).
- In the Late Oligocene, a fundamental split occurred between the Odontoceti and the Mysticeti.
- The extant sub-orders are the Mysticeti (baleen whales) and the Odontoceti (toothed whales).
Derivatives
adjective & noun
Zoology Like other odontocetes, delphinids echolocate and may even use high-intensity sound to stun their prey.
Example sentencesExamples
- Both the mysticetes and odontocetes are thought to be descendants of the archaeocetes.
- This structure is derived from the melon of other odontocetes, and like the melon, may serve as a sort of acoustic lens.
- Dolphins and porpoises are examples of odontocetes, as are belugas, narwhals, killer whales, sperm whales, and beaked whales.
- Within odontocete cetaceans, variation in body design affects stability and turning performance.
Origin
Modern Latin (plural), from Greek odous, odont- 'tooth' + ceti 'of a whale' (genitive of cetus, from Greek kētos 'whale').
Definition of Odontoceti in US English:
Odontoceti
plural nounōˌdän(t)əˈsēdē
Zoology The taxonomic division that comprises the toothed whales.
Suborder Odontoceti, order Cetacea
Example sentencesExamples
- Modern whales may be divided into two subgroups: the Odontoceti (toothed whales) and the Mysticeti (baleen whales).
- The extant sub-orders are the Mysticeti (baleen whales) and the Odontoceti (toothed whales).
- In the Late Oligocene, a fundamental split occurred between the Odontoceti and the Mysticeti.
Origin
Modern Latin (plural), from Greek odous, odont- ‘tooth’ + ceti ‘of a whale’ (genitive of cetus, from Greek kētos ‘whale’).