a. and sb. Zool. [f. mod.L. Trichech-us (Artedi, 1705–35; f. Gr. θρίξ, stem τριχ- hair + ἔχ-ειν to have; applied to the manatee ‘quia solus inter pisces fere hirsutus est’); name (now disused) of a genus including the manatee and walrus: see -INE1.] a. adj. Belonging to or having the characters of the family Trichechidæ or walruses. b. sb. An animal of this family, a walrus. So Trichechodont [Gr. ὀδούς, ὀδοντ- tooth] a., characterized by molar teeth like those of the manatee, with cusps confluent into two or more transverse crests; sb. an animal having such molar teeth; Trichechoid a. and sb. = trichechine.
[1842. Brande, Dict. Sci., etc., Trichechus.]
1887. Cope, Orig. Fittest, vii. 249. Many of the Tapirodonts have the Trichecodont type of mandibular teeth. Ibid., 255. Trichecodonts.—The Mastodons and Elephants form a most complete series between this form and the Bunodonts.
1888. Cassell’s Encycl. Dict., Trichechine.
1891. Cent. Dict., Trichechoid.
