any of the placental mammals that constitute the order Edentata, which inhabit tropical regions of Central and South America. The order includes anteaters, sloths, and armadillos
adjective
2.
of, relating to, or belonging to the order Edentata
Word origin
C19: from Latin ēdentātus lacking teeth, from ēdentāre to render toothless, from e- out + dēns tooth
edentate in American English
(iˈdɛnˌteɪt; ɪˈdɛnˌteɪt)
adjective
1.
without teeth
2.
of the edentates
noun
3.
any of an order (Edentata) of mammals having only molars or no teeth at all, as the sloths, armadillos, and anteaters
Word origin
ModL edentatus < L, pp. of edentare, to render toothless < e-, out + dens (gen. dentis), tooth + -ate1