Definition

1. Noun:
   • A primitive mammal that lays eggs: An "egg-laying mammal" is a member of a small group of mammals that reproduce by laying eggs, unlike most other mammals which give birth to live young. This group represents the most primitive living mammals.

Usage

• The term "egg-laying mammal" is used as a noun phrase to classify and describe these specific animals in biological and zoological contexts.
• It is typically used in scientific descriptions, educational materials, and general discussions about unique animal traits.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The platypus is a well-known example of an egg-laying mammal.
  • Egg-laying mammals are found only in Australia and New Guinea.

Advanced Usage

• "the egg-laying mammals": Used to refer to the entire taxonomic group.
  • The egg-laying mammals, or monotremes, have a unique combination of reptilian and mammalian traits.

Variants and Related Words

• Monotreme (n): The scientific term for an egg-laying mammal.
  • Monotremes include the platypus and echidnas.

Synonyms

• Monotreme: The direct scientific synonym.
• Prototherian: A term relating to the subclass Prototheria, which includes egg-laying mammals.

Different Meanings

• This term has a single, specific zoological meaning and is not used idiomatically or with other definitions.

Noun

1. the most primitive mammals comprising the only extant members of the subclass Prototheria