Palæont. [f. mod.L. Thēromorpha neut. pl. (see def.), f. Gr. θηρο-, THERO- + μορφή form.] A reptile of the extinct order Theromorpha, of Permian and Trias age, having certain mammalian characters. So Theromorphic a.1, Theromorphous a., belonging to or having the characters of the Theromorpha.
1887. Cope, Orig. Fittest, xi. 317. The Mammalia have been traced to the theromorphous reptiles through the Monotremata.
1891. Cent. Dict., Theromorph, Theromorphic.
[1901. H. Gadow, in Cambr. Nat. Hist., VIII. viii. 303. Many of the Theromorpha reached a considerable size, massive skulls of one foot in length being not uncommon. Note. Cope, the inventor of this most appropriate name (Theromorpha, or ‘beast-shaped’ animals), soon changed it, unnecessarily, into Theromora.)
