‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; terrible + &unr_; lizard. ] (Paleon.) An order of extinct mesozoic reptiles, mostly of large size (whence the name). Notwithstanding their size, they present birdlike characters in the skeleton, esp. in the pelvis and hind limbs. Some walked on their three-toed hind feet, thus producing the large “bird tracks, ” so-called, of mesozoic sandstones; others were five-toed and quadrupedal. See Illust. of Compsognathus, also Illustration of Dinosaur in Appendix.
‖n. pl. [ NL., from Gr. &unr_; marine (&unr_; in + &unr_; the sea) + &unr_; a lizard. ] (Paleon.) An extinct group of marine reptiles, embracing both the Ichthyosauria and the Plesiosauria, now regarded as distinct orders. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. (Paleon.) Pertaining to the Enaliosauria. --
‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr.
‖n. pl. [ NL. See Ichthyosaurus. ] (Paleon.) An extinct order of marine reptiles, including Ichthyosaurus and allied forms; -- called also
a. (Paleon.) Of or pertaining to the Ichthyosauria. --
n. An order of extinct reptiles of the Upper Triassic.
‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr.
‖n. Same as Mosasauria. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. pl. [ NL. See Mosasaurus. ] (Paleon.) An order of large, extinct, marine reptiles, found in the Cretaceous rocks, especially in America. They were serpentlike in form and in having loosely articulated and dilatable jaws, with large recurved teeth, but they had paddlelike feet. Some of them were over fifty feet long. They are, essentially, fossil sea serpents with paddles. Called also
‖prop. n. pl. [ NL. See Ornitho-, and Sauria. ] (Paleon.) An order of extinct flying reptiles; -- called also
‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr.
prop. n.
‖n. pl. [ NL. See Plesiosaurus. ] (Paleon.) An extinct order of Mesozoic marine reptiles including the genera Plesiosaurus, and allied forms; -- called also
n. (Paleon.) A plesiosaur. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. pl. [ NL. ] (Paleon.) An extinct order of flying reptiles of the Mesozoic age; the pterodactyls; -- called also
☞ The wings were formed, like those of bats, by a leathery expansion of the skin, principally supported by the greatly enlarged outer or “ little” fingers of the hands. The American Cretaceous pterodactyls had no teeth. See Pteranodontia, and Pterodactyl. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. (Paleon.) Of or pertaining to the Pterosauria. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. pl. [ NL., from Gr. &unr_; a lizard. ] (Zool.) A division of Reptilia formerly established to include the Lacertilia, Crocodilia, Dinosauria, and other groups. By some writers the name is restricted to the Lacertilia. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. (Zool.) Of or pertaining to, or of the nature of, the Sauria. --
n. (Zool.) Any marine saurian; esp. (Paleon.), the large extinct species of
‖n. pl. [ NL. See Stegosaurus. ] (Paleon.) An extinct order of herbivorous dinosaurs, including the genera