Meanings
nounadelphophagy (uncountable)
- uncountableThe consumption of one embryo by another in utero, particularly among certain amphibians, sharks and fishes.
Synonyms: embryophagy, oophagy
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe consumption of one embryo by another in utero, particularly among certain amphibians, sharks and fishes.
Similar
Also see
Origin
- Ancient Greekἀδελφός“brother”
- Englishadelphophagy
From Ancient Greek ἀδελφός (adelphós, “brother”) and the suffix -φαγία (-phagía), combining form of φαγεῖν (phageîn, “to eat”). By surface analysis, adelpho- + -phagy.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Polish adelfofagia
- adelfofagiaconsumption of one embryo by another in utero
Portuguese adelfofagia
- adelfofagiaconsumption of one embryo by another in utero
Spanish adelfofagia
- adelfofagiaconsumption of one embryo by another in utero
Cite this entry
APA
adelphophagy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/adelphophagy
MLA
“adelphophagy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/adelphophagy. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “adelphophagy,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/adelphophagy.
Source: adelphophagy on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.