ˌkȯ(r)dāˌīˈtāˌlēz, -ˌdīˈt- noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Cordaites + -ales
: an order of extinct gymnospermous plants first known from the Pennsylvanian and probably extinct since the Mesozoic that had tall arborescent trunks structurally comparable to or more advanced than those of cycads and branched in the upper part, long simple parallel-veined leaves spirally arranged, and separate male and female strobili — see cordaitaceae
• cor·dai·ta·le·an | ̷ ̷( ̷ ̷)ˌ ̷ ̷|tālēən adjective