A body segment of an articulated or segmented animal, especially such a segment regarded as a distinct organism; a metamere or somite. Compare "zonite". Now historical and rare.
Origin
Mid 19th century. From French zoonite, irregularly from ancient Greek ζῷον animal + French -ite.
Definition of zoonite in US English:
zoonite
noun
Zoology
A body segment of an articulated or segmented animal, especially such a segment regarded as a distinct organism; a metamere or somite. Compare "zonite". Now historical and rare.
Origin
Mid 19th century. From French zoonite, irregularly from ancient Greek ζῷον animal + French -ite.