Megalodon
/ˌmɛɡəˈlɒdɒn/noun
An extinct genus of giant prehistoric shark, especially one known from enormous fossil teeth.
Did you know?The name was coined in the 19th century from Greek roots, and the fossil teeth were so huge that early collectors often mistook them for dragon or giant-human teeth.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
mega-
“large, great”
Ancient Greek
Gk
odous, odontos
“tooth”
19th Century
Latinized scientific form
Megalodon
“literally 'great tooth' / giant-toothed shark”
1830s
English
megalodon
“scientific name adopted for the fossil shark”
Modern English
English
megalodon
“the common name for an extinct giant shark”
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