archaeopteryx
[ ahr-kee-op-tuh-riks ]
/ ˌɑr kiˈɒp tə rɪks /
noun
a reptilelike fossil bird of the genus Archaeopteryx, from the late Jurassic Period, having teeth and a long, feathered, vertebrate tail.
Compare
protoavis.
Origin of archaeopteryx
Words nearby archaeopteryx
archaeology,
archaeomagnetism,
archaeomagnetism dating,
archaeometry,
archaeon ,
archaeopteryx,
archaeornis,
archaeozoic,
archaezoology,
archaic,
archaic homo
Example sentences from the Web for archaeopteryx
British Dictionary definitions for archaeopteryx
archaeopteryx
/ (ˌɑːkɪˈɒptərɪks) /
noun
any of several extinct primitive birds constituting the genus Archaeopteryx, esp A. lithographica, which occurred in Jurassic times and had teeth, a long tail, well-developed wings, and a body covering of feathers
Word Origin for archaeopteryx
C19: from
archaeo- + Greek
pterux winged creature
Scientific definitions for archaeopteryx
archaeopteryx
[ är′kē-ŏp′tər-ĭks ]
An extinct primitive bird of the genus Archaeopteryx of the Jurassic Period, having characteristics of both birds and dinosaurs. Like dinosaurs, it had a long, bony tail, claws at the end of its fingers, and teeth. Like birds it had wings and feathers. Many scientists regard it as evidence that birds evolved from small carnivorous dinosaurs. See Note at bird.