archaeopteryx

[ ahr-kee-op-tuh-riks ]

/ ˌɑr kiˈɒp tə rɪks /

noun

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

Nearby words

Compare protoavis.

Origin of archaeopteryx

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for archaeopteryx

In the wing of Archaeopteryx there are three long digits with distinct metacarpals.
The Vertebrate Skeleton|Sidney H. Reynolds
It seems just possible that in Archaeopteryx the metapatagium was more Bat-like.
The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia|Frank Evers Beddard
It is in this matter that the famous Archaeopteryx plays an important part.
At the Deathbed of Darwinism|Eberhard Dennert
Nor do I think it likely that the transition from the reptile to the bird has been effected by such a form as Archaeopteryx.
Lectures on Evolution|Thomas Henry Huxley

In Archaeopteryx however but five vertebrae take part in the formation of the sacrum.
The Vertebrate Skeleton|Sidney H. Reynolds

British Dictionary definitions for archaeopteryx

archaeopteryx

/ (ˌɑːkɪˈɒptərɪks) /

noun

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

Word Origin for archaeopteryx

C19: from archaeo- + Greek pterux winged creature

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for archaeopteryx

archaeopteryx

oldest known fossil bird, 1859, Modern Latin, from archaeo- "ancient, primitive" + Greek pteryx "wing" (see pterodactyl).

Science definitions for archaeopteryx

archaeopteryx

[ är′kē-ŏp′tər-ĭks ]

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. See Note at bird.