SAUROPTERYGIAN Definition & Meaning

sauropterygian

[ saw-rop-tuh-rij-ee-uhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of various Mesozoic marine reptiles of the superorder Sauropterygia, including the suborder Plesiosauria.

adjective

of or relating to a sauropterygian.

sauropterygian

/ ��ô-��ŏ��′tə-��ĭ��′ŧ-ə�� /

Any of various extinct aquatic reptiles of the group Sauropterygia of the Mesozoic Era. Sauropterygians were carnivorous, had paddlelike limbs, and included the plesiosaurs. They were distantly related to the dinosaurs.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of sauropterygian¹

First recorded in 1855–60; New Latin Sauropterygi(a) (equivalent to Greek ��û��(��) “lizard” + pteryg- , stem of ��é�� “wing” + -ia ( def ) ) + -an ( def )

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The collection will depict a temnodontosaurus - a large-jawed marine reptile, a plesiosaurus - a large marine sauropterygian reptile, and a dimorphodon - a small flying reptile.

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