archaeopteryx

American  

[ahr-kee-op-tuh-riks] / ˌɑr kiˈɒp tə rɪks /

noun

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

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archaeopteryx British  

/ 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

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archaeopteryx Scientific  

/ är′kē-ŏp′tər-ĭks /

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

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Etymology

Origin of archaeopteryx

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