polyphyodont

English

Etymology

Ancient Greek πολύς (polús, “many, much”) + φύω (phúō, “produce”) + ὀδόντος (odóntos) (genitive of ὀδούς (odoús, “tooth”))

Noun

polyphyodont (plural polyphyodonts)

1. Any animal whose teeth are continuously replaced.

   Elephants and manatees are unusual among mammals because they are polyphyodonts. Most mammals are diphyodonts, replacing their teeth only once in their lives.