pleurocentraladj.
/ˌplʊərə(ʊ)ˈsɛntr(ə)l/, U.S. /ˌplʊroʊˈsɛntr(ə)l/ Zoology and Palaeontology.
Relating to, characterized by, or of the nature of a pleurocentrum or pleurocentra.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Pleurocentral, of or pertaining to a pleurocentrum; hemicentral.
1897 Amer. Naturalist 31 365 In Amia the pleurocentral element can hardly be regarded as vestigial, since it appears to furnish the foundation for the upper half of the vertebral column.
1959 Q. Rev. Biol. 34 28/2 The only other well-known groups of Paleozoic Amphibia with a pleurocentral centrum are the anthrocosaur-seymouriamorphs and their aberrant offshoot the embolomeres.
1995 Jrnl. Vertebr. Paleontol. 15 37 Its caudal vertebrae may have developed via paired pleurocentral elements.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1890