ADAPIS Meaning and
Definition
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Adapis is a noun that refers to a genus of extinct fossil mammals belonging to the family Adapidae. Adapids are believed to have lived during the Eocene epoch, which existed approximately 56 to 33.9 million years ago. They were early primates, specifically prosimians, and are considered to be among the closest relatives of modern lemurs.
The term "adapis" can also specifically refer to the type species of this genus, Adapis parisiensis. These animals were small in size, generally weighing around 2 to 4 kilograms, and had a body structure that resembled a mixture of primate and lemur characteristics. It had a relatively long snout, a small braincase, and elongated limbs.
Adapids are significant in the study of primate evolution, as they represent an early stage in the development of primates and provide valuable insights into the ancestors of modern monkeys, apes, and humans. They lived during a period when many of the distinguishing features of primates, such as forward-facing eyes, grasping hands, and adaptations for tree-dwelling, were emerging.
Due to the extensive fossil record of Adapis and its significance in the understanding of primate evolution, this term has become a well-recognized and frequently used scientific term in the fields of paleontology, anthropology, and evolutionary biology.
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A fossil animal somewhat resembling a hedgehog, but three times its size.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ADAPIS
- adapie
- adapids
- adapid
- zdapis
- wdapis
- qdapis
- axapis
- afapis
- arapis
- aeapis
- adzpis
- adwpis
- adqpis
- adaois
- ada-is
- ada0is
- adapjs
- adapks
- adap9s
- adap8s
Etymology of ADAPIS
The word "adapis" has an interesting etymology. It comes from the Ancient Greek ἀδάπης (adapēs), which means "never to see", derived from the negative prefix ἀ- (a-) and δάπτω (daptō), meaning "to see".
The term "adapis" was coined by French naturalist Georges Cuvier in the early 19th century to describe an extinct mammal. Cuvier, who specialized in paleontology, chose the name because the eye sockets of this particular mammal were positioned in a way that it would not be able to see forward, hence "never to see".
The name "adapis" is specifically used for a genus of primates that lived during the Eocene epoch, approximately 55 to 33.9 million years ago.
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