graminivorous

English

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin graminivorus, from gramen (“grass”) + vorus

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɡɹæmɪˈnɪvəɹəs/

• Audio (US):

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Adjective

graminivorous (comparative more graminivorous, superlative most graminivorous)

1. (entomology) That eats grasses and seeds.
   • 1854, Charles Dickens, Hard Times:

     “Bitzer,” said Thomas Gradgrind. “Your definition of a horse.”
     “Quadruped. Graminivorous. Forty teeth; namely, twenty-four grinders, four eye-teeth, and twelve incisive. Sheds coat in the Spring; in marshy countries, sheds hoofs, too. Hoofs hard, but requiring to be shod with iron. Age known by marks in mouth.” Thus (and much more) Bitzer.

Usage notes

• Although the term was formerly more widely used (e.g. of grazing animals), it is now restricted to insects, as most such animals are better termed herbivorous.