urodele: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist)Scientific/Technical
Quick answer
What does “urodele” mean?
A tailed amphibian of the order Urodela.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tailed amphibian of the order Urodela; a salamander or newt.
Any member of the amphibian order Urodela (or Caudata), characterized by a slender body, a long tail, and typically four limbs, and retaining larval characteristics like external gills in some aquatic species.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or preference. The term is equally specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, purely scientific.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside of academic zoology, herpetology, or paleontology texts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “urodele” in a Sentence
[The/This/A] urodele [verb]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “urodele” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The urodele specimen displayed neotenic characteristics.
- Urodele anatomy differs markedly from that of anurans.
American English
- The researcher focused on urodele limb regeneration.
- Urodele phylogeny is a complex subject.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used in zoology, biology, herpetology, and paleontology papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used. 'Salamander' is the common term.
Technical
The standard taxonomic term for the order, used in species descriptions, phylogenetic studies, and anatomical comparisons.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “urodele”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “urodele”
- Confusing it with 'uropygium' (a bird part) or 'urology'. Mispronouncing as 'your-oh-dell' instead of 'YUR-oh-deel'. Using it in non-scientific contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes. 'Urodele' is the scientific term for the order that includes all salamanders and newts.
It would sound highly technical and odd. Use 'salamander' or 'newt' instead.
Urodeles (salamanders/newts) have tails and typically longer bodies; frogs (anurans) lack tails as adults and have powerful hind legs for jumping.
From modern Latin Urodela, from Greek 'oura' (tail) + 'dēlos' (visible, evident), referring to their prominent tails.
A tailed amphibian of the order Urodela.
Urodele is usually scientific/technical in register.
Urodele: in British English it is pronounced /ˈjʊərə(ʊ)diːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈjʊrəˌdiːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'YOU rode an EEL' that had legs and lived on land – a strange, tailed amphibian.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this technical term.
Practice
Quiz
What is a urodele?