triceratops

American  

[trahy-ser-uh-tops] / traɪˈsɛr əˌtɒps /

noun

1. any of various dinosaurs of the genus Triceratops, of the late Cretaceous Period, having a bony crest on the neck, a long horn over each eye, and a shorter horn on the nose.

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triceratops British  

/ traɪˈsɛrəˌtɒps /

noun

1. any rhinoceros-like herbivorous dinosaur of the ornithischian genus Triceratops, of Cretaceous times, having a heavily armoured neck and three horns on the skull

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triceratops Scientific  

/ trī-sĕr′ə-tŏps′ /

1. A large herbivorous dinosaur of the genus Triceratops of the late Cretaceous Period, measuring up to 7.6 m (25 ft) in length. Triceratops had a squat, tanklike body, a beaklike mouth with a short horn over it, and a long horn over each eye. The back of its neck was covered with a wide, bony plate.

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Etymology

Origin of triceratops

First recorded in 1890–95; from New Latin, from Greek trikérat(os) “three-horned” + ṓps “face, eye”; tri-, cerat-, eye

Example Sentences

“I would venture to say I’m still obsessed,” he says, making his way toward a massive triceratops skull nearby.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2024

“Another hadrosaur toe, another triceratops vertebra. Other than statistical appearance in the formation, there’s zero scientific value.”

From New York Times • Jul. 17, 2023

County Natural History Museum, to make sure: The Gold State Coach, 29 feet long, 12 feet high, weighing four tons, is approximately like having a gilded triceratops mounted on wheels and rolled down London streets.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2023

And they will randomly drop deep knowledge about Tyrannosaurus rex, stegosaurus and triceratops that will blow your mind.

From Washington Post • Aug. 5, 2022

It wrenched itself free of the other trike’s horn and spun, bashing the triceratops with its thick tail.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older