cyclostome

noun

cy·​clo·​stome ˈsī-klə-ˌstōm How to pronounce cyclostome (audio)
: any of a class (Cyclostomata) of jawless fishes having a large sucking mouth and comprising the hagfishes and lampreys

Examples of cyclostome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In 2016, a group of scientists in the U.S. proposed a hypothesis that the Tully monster was an early vertebrate similar in some anatomical details to the modern cyclostomes (a group including today jawless fish like lamprey and hagfish). David Bressan, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Greek kykl- + stoma mouth — more at stomach entry 1

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cyclostome was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near cyclostome

Cite this Entry

“Cyclostome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyclostome. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

cyclostome

noun
cy·​clo·​stome ˈsī-klə-ˌstōm, ˈsik-lə- How to pronounce cyclostome (audio)
: any vertebrate of the class or order Cyclostomata

More from Merriam-Webster on cyclostome

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!