ceratopsian

[ ser-uh-top-see-uhn ]

/ ˌsɛr əˈtɒp si ən /

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON THE 12 TYPES OF VERB TENSES!

Loosen up your grammar muscles because it’s time to test your knowledge on verb tenses!

Question 1 of 6

The verb tenses can be split into which 3 primary categories?

action, linking, and helping

dynamic, static, and auxiliary

past, present, and future

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar Coach

Improve Your Writing

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

cerato-, ceratocricoid muscle, ceratodus, ceratoid, Ceratophyllus, 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.