velociraptor
[ vuh-los-uh-rap-ter, ‐tawr ]
/ vəˈlɒs əˌræp tər, ‐tɔr /
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.
Nearby words
velma, velo binding, veloce, velocimeter, velocipede, velociraptor, velocity, velocity head, velocity microphone, velocity modulation, velocity of circulation
Origin of velociraptor
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Science 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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