anthracotherium
|an-thra-co-the-ri-um|
🇺🇸
/ˌænθrəˌkoʊˈθɪriəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌænθrəˌkɒˈθɪəriəm/
coal beast
Etymology
'anthracotherium' originates from New Latin, formed from Greek elements 'anthrax' and 'therion', where 'anthrax' meant 'coal' and 'therion' meant 'beast'.
'Anthracotherium' was coined in scientific (New Latin) usage from the Greek words 'anthrax' + 'therion' and adopted into modern zoological nomenclature as the genus name 'Anthracotherium'.
Initially, the name literally meant 'coal beast' (referring to the coal or coal-bearing strata where some fossils were found); over time it has been used specifically as the taxonomic name for this extinct genus of artiodactyl mammals.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an extinct genus of semiaquatic, hippopotamus-like artiodactyl mammals (family Anthracotheriidae), known from fossil remains in Europe and Asia; lived from the Eocene through the Miocene.
Paleontologists described new species of Anthracotherium based on jaw fragments found in the site.
Last updated: 2025/08/25 07:07