Standard Lemma guide

ossiferous

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • rhymes with -ɪfəɹəs

1

adj

Meaning 1

Containing or yielding bone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • In the ossiferous caves we found many intact skeletons.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective

Meaning 2

containing bones (especially fossil bones)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • ossiferous caves

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Latin os, ossis (“bone”) + -ferous. Compare French ossifère.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Greek: οστεοφόρος (osteofóros) — containing or yielding bone
  • Greek: κοκκαλοφόρος (kokkalofóros) — containing or yielding bone
  • Greek: κοκαλοφόρος (kokalofóros) — containing or yielding bone
  • Irish: cnámhar — containing or yielding bone
  • Italian: ossifero — containing or yielding bone