metatherian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low / C2+Academic / Technical / Zoological
Quick answer
What does “metatherian” mean?
Any mammal of the infraclass Metatheria, which comprises marsupials and their extinct relatives.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Any mammal of the infraclass Metatheria, which comprises marsupials and their extinct relatives.
Pertaining to the group of mammals characterized by giving birth to relatively undeveloped young that typically continue to develop in a maternal pouch.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in British and American scientific communities.
Connotations
None beyond its strict scientific classification.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects, confined to specialist literature in palaeontology, evolutionary biology, and mammalogy.
Grammar
How to Use “metatherian” in a Sentence
[adjective] + metatherianmetatherian + [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metatherian” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The fossil exhibited clear metatherian dental characteristics.
American English
- The research focused on metatherian evolution in North America.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in papers and textbooks on mammalian evolution, palaeontology, and comparative anatomy.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in zoological taxonomy and phylogenetics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metatherian”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metatherian”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metatherian”
- Using 'metatherian' interchangeably with 'marsupial' in precise scientific writing (some extinct metatherians may not have had a pouch).
- Mispronouncing the stress: it's on the third syllable, /ˈθɪər/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. All living marsupials, including kangaroos, koalas, and opossums, are within the infraclass Metatheria.
Metatherians (marsupials) have a short gestation, give birth to highly altricial young, and often have a pouch. Eutherians (placental mammals) have a longer gestation where the foetus is nourished via a complex placenta, resulting in more developed young at birth.
No. Humans are placental mammals, belonging to the infraclass Eutheria.
Exclusively in scientific contexts, particularly in academic journals, textbooks, and discussions related to mammalian taxonomy, evolution, and palaeontology.
Any mammal of the infraclass Metatheria, which comprises marsupials and their extinct relatives.
Metatherian is usually academic / technical / zoological in register.
Metatherian: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛtəˈθɪəriən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛdəˈθɪriən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think META-THERIAN: META (beyond/after) + THER (beast). It's the mammalian group whose young develop 'after' birth in a pouch.
Conceptual Metaphor
A branch on the tree of life.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a defining characteristic of metatherians?