Word: Odd-toed ungulate
Definition: An "odd-toed ungulate" is a type of animal that has hooves (the hard covering on the feet) and an odd number of toes. This means that each foot has either one or three toes. These animals belong to a group of mammals known as "ungulates," which are animals that walk on hooves.
Usage Instructions: You can use the term "odd-toed ungulate" when talking about specific animals that fit this description. Common examples include horses, zebras, and rhinoceroses.
Examples: 1. "Horses are odd-toed ungulates because they have just one toe on each foot." 2. "The rhinoceros is an example of an odd-toed ungulate that has three toes on each foot."
Advanced Usage: In scientific discussions, "odd-toed ungulates" are often referred to as "perissodactyls." This term comes from Greek roots meaning "uneven" (perisso) and "toe" (dactylos).
Word Variants: - The plural form is "odd-toed ungulates." - The scientific term for this group is "perissodactyls."
Different Meanings: The term "ungulate" can refer to both odd-toed ungulates (like horses) and even-toed ungulates (like cows and pigs), which have an even number of toes (two or four).
Synonyms: - Perissodactyl (scientific term) - Hoofed mammal (broader category that includes both odd and even-toed ungulates)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "odd-toed ungulate," but you might hear phrases like "to be in the same boat" when discussing animals in general, which means to be in a similar situation.
Summary: An odd-toed ungulate is a mammal with hooves and an odd number of toes on its feet.