velociraptor

[vuh-los-uh-rap-ter, ‐tawr]

noun

1. 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.

velociraptor

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of velociraptor¹

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

Example Sentences

After the increasingly disastrous three “Jurassic World” movies, which were vacuums of appeal as their star Chris Pratt plodded about bemoaning his precious housebroken velociraptors, the “Jurassic” series desperately needed a shot in the arm.

From Salon

Initially, we can’t wait for Iacono’s louse to get eaten but we come to treasure his comic relief, particularly when Xavier wanders off to relieve himself next to a nest of velociraptors.

From Los Angeles Times

As production designer for 21 films, Carter oversaw the artists, carpenters, effects wizards, set designers — nearly every visual aspect, from velociraptors to runaway polar trains.

From Los Angeles Times

The original “Jurassic Park” film spooked audiences by imagining velociraptors smart enough to open doors.

From Los Angeles Times

“The only dinosaurs that walked on two toes were ‘raptors’ like velociraptor and their close relatives.”

From New York Times