Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

fossorial

[fo-sawr-ee-uhl, -sohr-]

adjective Zoology.

digging or burrowing.

adapted for digging, as the hands, feet, and bone structure of moles, armadillos, and aardvarks.

Origin:
1830–40; < Late Latin fossōri(us) adapted to digging (equivalent to Latin fod(ere) to dig + tōrius -tory¹, with dt > ss) + -al¹

Related forms

sub·fos·so·ri·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source

Link To fossorial

00:10

00:09

00:08

00:07

00:06

00:05

00:04

00:03

00:02

00:01

Fossorial is always a great word to know.

So is vertebrate. Does it mean:

having a backbone or spinal column

major grouping of small-to-microscopic pseudocoelomate organisms

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Collins

World English Dictionary

fossorial (fɒˈsɔːrɪəl)

—*adj*
1.	(of the forelimbs and skeleton of burrowing animals) adapted for digging
2.	(of burrowing animals, such as the mole and armadillo) having limbs of this type

[C19: from Medieval Latin fossōrius from Latin fossor digger, from fodere to dig]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Word Dynamo Rating For Fossorial

People who can define Fossorial may know 20,047 words, as many as a 7th grader.

How many words do you know?

Remove ads like these. Upgrade now!

Related Words

mole cricket

skink

Quote Of The Day

"Opinions are not to be learned by rote, like the letters of an alphabet, or the words of a dictionary. They are conclusions to be formed, and formed by each individual in the sacred and free citadel of the mind, and there enshrined beyond the arm of law to reach, or force to shake; ay! and beyond the right of impertinent curiosity to violate, or presumptuous arrogance to threaten."

-Frances Wright

Partners:Word Bloglines Citysearch The Daily Beast Ask Answers Ask Kids Life123 Sendori Thesaurus

About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help