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.

Origin of archaeopteryx

1
1855–60; <New Latin <Greek archaio-archaeo- + ptéryx wing

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British Dictionary definitions for archaeopteryx

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

Origin of archaeopteryx

1
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

Scientific definitions for archaeopteryx

archaeopteryx

[ är′kē-ŏptər-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. See Note at bird.

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