pachyderm or pachiderm (pl pachydermata)



Term: pachyderm or pachiderm   (pl pachydermata)
Literally meaning: “thick skin”
Origin: Anc Greek
παχύς/pachys(=thick)
+δέρμα/derma(=skin) > δεσμά/desma(=bonds) because skin keeps the body tight > δέρω/dero(=to peel, to flay).
Coined/History 
In 1797 by French zoologist George Leopole Chretien Frederic Dagobert Cuvier (1769-1832)
Definition
Pachyderma is an obsolete order of thick-skinned , hoofed  mammals such as the elephants, rhinoceroses, mammoths, hippopotami and pigs.

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