velociraptor

[ vuh-los-uh-rap-ter, ‐tawr ]

/ vəˈlɒs əˌræp tər, ‐tɔr /

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noun

a small carnivorous dinosaur of the genus Velociraptor, from the late Cretaceous period, capable of leaping, and growing to a length of about 6 feet (2 meters), having feathers, a flat snout, short forelimbs with large handlike talons, and a large sickle-shaped claw on each foot.

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Origin of velociraptor

1920–25; <New Latin, equivalent to veloci-, stem of vēlox “swift, quick” + raptor

Words nearby velociraptor

Velma, velobinding, veloce, velocimeter, velocipede, velociraptor, velocity, velocity head, velocity microphone, velocity modulation, velocity of circulation

Scientific definitions for velociraptor

velociraptor

[ və-lŏs′ə-răp′tər ]

A small, fast, carnivorous dinosaur of the genus Velociraptor of the Cretaceous Period that was about 2 m (6.5 ft) in length. It had long curved claws for grasping and tearing at prey, walked on two legs that were adapted for leaping, and had a long stiff tail used as a counterweight. Velociraptors were a kind of raptor.