Urodele
/ˈjʊərəʊdiːl/noun
A salamander or other amphibian that retains a tail throughout adulthood.
Did you know?Unlike frogs, urodeles—including salamanders and newts—retain their tails as adults, reflecting the meaning of their Greek-based taxonomic name.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*del-
“To show, point out, or make visible; the probable ancient root behind the second element.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
οὐρά (ourá)
“Tail.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
δῆλος (dêlos)
“Visible, clear, or conspicuous.”
19th Century
New Latin
Urodela
“A zoological group named for salamanders and related amphibians with conspicuous tails.”
19th Century
English
urodele
“A salamander or tailed amphibian; later also used adjectivally.”