How Do You Spell HALITHERIUM?

Pronunciation: [hˌalɪðˈi͡əɹɪəm] (IPA)

The word "halitherium" is pronounced /hælɪˈθɪriəm/. The first syllable is pronounced with the short "a" sound, as in "hat." The second syllable is pronounced with the "i" sound, as in "bit." The third syllable is pronounced with the "th" sound, as in "think," followed by the "i" sound again. The fourth syllable is pronounced with the short "a" sound and then "um" at the end. When spelling "halitherium," it is important to pay attention to the placement of the "th" sound.

HALITHERIUM Meaning and Definition

1. Halitherium refers to an extinct genus of marine mammals belonging to the order Sirenia, which encompasses the manatees and dugongs. It lived during the Eocene epoch, approximately 45 to 35 million years ago, and predominantly inhabited the warm coastal waters of Europe. The term "halitherium" is derived from the Greek words "halos" meaning sea and "therion" meaning beast, indicating its aquatic nature.

   Halitherium had a compact body with a streamlined shape and weighed approximately 200-300 kilograms (440-660 pounds). Its length typically reached around 3 meters (10 feet), making it relatively small compared to its modern counterparts. It possessed four limbs modified into flipper-like structures for locomotion in water, while hind limbs were absent, suggesting a fully aquatic lifestyle.

   This prehistoric marine mammal primarily fed on sea grasses, algae, and other aquatic vegetation. Its teeth were well adapted for grinding and evolved to be selenodont, with crescent-shaped cusps for efficient mastication of its herbivorous diet.

   Halitherium left a significant impact on the evolutionary history of Sirenia, as it is believed to be an ancestral ancestor of the modern-day manatees and dugongs. Fossil remains of Halitherium have been discovered in various European regions, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, facilitating a better understanding of the early evolution and adaptations of marine mammals.

2. In geol., a tertiary cetacean having evident affinities to the sea-cows.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for HALITHERIUM

• galitherium
• balitherium
• nalitherium
• jalitherium
• ualitherium
• yalitherium
• hzlitherium
• hslitherium
• hwlitherium
• hqlitherium
• hakitherium
• hapitherium
• haoitherium
• halutherium
• haljtherium
• halktherium
• halotherium
• hal9therium
• hal8therium
• halirherium

Etymology of HALITHERIUM

The word "halitherium" has its etymology rooted in Greek. It is derived from the combination of two Greek words:

1. "halos" (ἅλος) meaning "sea"

2. "therion" (θηρίον) meaning "beast" or "animal"

When combined, these two words form "halitherion" (ἁλitherion). The word "halitherium" is the Latinized version of this Greek term, reflecting the scientific language of the time when it was coined.

"Halitherium" is the name of an extinct genus of early mammals that lived during the Eocene epoch, approximately 45 million years ago. These marine mammals were believed to be related to modern-day manatees and dugongs.

Plural form of HALITHERIUM is HALITHERIA