Dictionary entry

Machærodus

Webster's Dictionary 1913

{ ‖Ma‐chæ″ro‐dus (mȧ‐kē″rō̍‐dŭs), ‖Ma‐chai″ro‐dus (mȧ‐kī″rō̍‐dŭs), } n. [NL., fr. Gr. μάχαιρα dagger + οδοὔσ tooth.] (Paleon.) A genus of extinct mammals allied to the cats, and having in the upper jaw canine teeth of remarkable size and strength; — hence called saber-toothed tigers.