ceratopsian

[ ser-uh-top-see-uhn ]

/ ˌsɛr əˈtɒp si ən /

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noun

any of several four-footed, herbivorous dinosaurs of the suborder Ceratopsia, of the late Cretaceous Period, having an enlarged skull with a beak, a large perforated frill at the back, and, in some species, one or three horns.

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Also called horned dinosaur.

Origin of ceratopsian

First recorded in 1905–10; from New Latin Ceratopsi(a) (see cerat-, -opsis, -ia) + -an

Words nearby ceratopsian

cerate, cerated, cerato-, ceratodus, ceratoid, ceratopsian, ceratosaur, Cerberus, cercal, cercaria, cercis

Scientific definitions for ceratopsian

ceratopsian

[ sĕr′ə-tŏp′sē-ən ]

Any of various dinosaurs of the group Ceratopsia of the late Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods. Ceratopsians were ornithischians characterized by skulls with a parrotlike beak, a broad bony frill extending back over the neck, and often one or more horns. Most ceratopsians walked on all fours and grew to medium or large size. Triceratops was a ceratopsian.