Palæont. [mod.L. (Owen, 1837), f. Gr. τόξον bow + ὀδούς, ὀδοντ- tooth: see quot. 1849.] A genus of large extinct quadrupeds, having strongly curved molar teeth, whose remains are found in Pleistocene deposits in S. America. Hence Toxodont, adj. belonging to or having the characters of the order Toxodonta, typified by this genus; sb. a quadruped of this order.
1837. Owen, in Proc. Geol. Soc., II. 542. So far as dental characters have weight, the Toxodon must be referred to the rodent order.
1839. G. Roberts, Dict. Geol., Toxodon,… a gigantic quadruped, approaching, in character, to the pachydermata.
1849. Sk. Nat. Hist., Mammalia, III. 115. The molar teeth also were rootless, and curved, whence the name toxodon.
1859. Darwin, Orig. Spec., xi. (1878), 294. Remains of Mastodon, Megatherium, Toxodon and other extinct monsters.
