How Do You Spell OVIPAROUS?

Pronunciation: [ˈə͡ʊvɪpˌaɹəs] (IPA)

Oviparous, spelled /əʊˈvɪpərəs/ in IPA phonetic transcription, is an adjective used to describe animals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. The word derives from the Latin words "ovum" meaning egg and "parere" which means to produce or give birth. The spelling of the word owes to its Latin roots and combines the prefix "ovi-" with the suffix "-parous". This spelling ensures that the word accurately reflects its meaning and is easily recognizable by those familiar with scientific terminology.

OVIPAROUS Meaning and Definition

1. Oviparous is an adjective that describes a characteristic of certain animals or organisms that reproduce by laying eggs. It is derived from the Latin words "ovi," meaning egg, and "parous," meaning to bear or produce. Oviparous animals follow a reproductive strategy in which they lay eggs that are externally fertilized and then develop and hatch outside the maternal body.

   In the animal kingdom, oviparous species are diverse and can be found across various taxonomic groups, including reptiles, birds, fish, and some insects. For example, reptiles such as turtles, lizards, and snakes are typically oviparous, laying eggs in protective nests before the embryos develop and eventually hatch independently.

   Birds, another prominent group of oviparous creatures, lay eggs with hard calcified shells made primarily of calcium carbonate. These eggs are generally incubated by the parent birds until the embryos complete their development and eventually emerge from the shells as hatchlings.

   Contrasting with oviparous, there are other modes of reproduction in animals, such as viviparous (giving birth to live young), ovoviviparous (developing embryos within eggs inside the maternal body and eventually giving live birth), and parthenogenesis (reproduction without fertilization by males). However, oviparity remains a widespread and successful reproductive strategy throughout the animal kingdom, ensuring the survival and continuation of numerous species.

2. Egglaying, noting birds and other of the Ovipara whose ova are developed outside the body.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. Producing young by eggs, which are hatched after exclusion from the body of the parent.

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

Common Misspellings for OVIPAROUS

• ovipareous
• oviparos
• oviperous
• diparous
• opiparois
• opparous
• opiparus
• Opiperous
• ovigerous
• Opeparous
• Noctiphorous
• Oveiparus
• oviporous

Etymology of OVIPAROUS

The word "oviparous" has its roots in Latin. It comes from two Latin words: "ovi", which means "egg", and "parous", which means "bearing" or "producing". When combined, they form "oviparous", which describes animals that reproduce by laying eggs.