archaeopteryx

[ahr-kee-op-tuh-riks]

noun

1. a reptilelike fossil bird of the genus Archaeopteryx, from the late Jurassic Period, having teeth and a long, feathered, vertebrate tail.

archaeopteryx

/ ˌɑːkɪˈɒptərɪks /

noun

1. any of several extinct primitive birds constituting the genus Archaeopteryx, esp A. lithographica, which occurred in Jurassic times and had teeth, a long tail, well-developed wings, and a body covering of feathers

archaeopteryx

1. An extinct primitive bird of the genus Archaeopteryx of the Jurassic Period, having characteristics of both birds and dinosaurs. Like dinosaurs, it had a long, bony tail, claws at the end of its fingers, and teeth. Like birds it had wings and feathers. Many scientists regard it as evidence that birds evolved from small carnivorous dinosaurs.

2. See Note at bird

Word History and Origins

Origin of archaeopteryx¹

1855–60; < New Latin < Greek archaio- archaeo- + ptéryx wing

Word History and Origins

Origin of archaeopteryx¹

C19: from _archaeo- + Greek pterux winged creature

Example Sentences

Earlier this month, researchers declared that the first-ever dinosaur feather discovered does indeed belong to the archaeopteryx, putting an end to a controversy that has waged within the scientific community for more than 100 years.

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After overlaying an outline of the 1861 feather atop a fossil archaeopteryx wing, the team also found that the feather fits onto the wing perfectly.

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The research compared the feather, discovered in 1861, with the fossilized remains of other archaeopteryx feathers.

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A hoatzin, a primitive bird like a living archaeopteryx, called in the distance as we baited hand-lines with — what else? — gristly chunks of local beef.

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He was the first to describe the archaeopteryx after its discovery in Bavaria in 1861 and the first to write a formal epitaph for the dodo.

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