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Glite Dictionary
Pterodactylidae

Pterodactylidae

9.9
A family of extinct flying reptiles with long wings and toothed beaks that lived in dinosaur times
  • noun
  • /ˌtɛrəˈdæktɪˌliːdeɪ/
  • Specialized
: Pterodactylidae
  • The Pterodactylidae are known for their long, slender wings and toothed beaks.

Examples

  • Many fossils of Pterodactylidae have been discovered in Europe.

  • Scientists debated whether new finds should be classified within Pterodactylidae or a separate family.

  • Fossils belonging to the Pterodactylidae family have been discovered on several continents.

  • The Pterodactylidae family includes some of the most fascinating prehistoric creatures.

  • Fossils belonging to the Pterodactylidae family have been discovered on several continents.

  • Scientists debated whether new finds should be classified within Pterodactylidae or a separate family.

  • The Pterodactylidae are known for their long wings and unique flying abilities.

Synonyms

pterodactyl
vsPterodactylidae
27 9.7

A flying reptile from long ago with a long thin head and short tail

refers to the whole taxonomic family rather than one individual species
family Pterodactylidae
vsPterodactylidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of extinct animals with wings that could fly

is the commonly used scientific name for that same taxonomic group

Surface Forms

Pterodactylidae singular
Pterodactylidaes plural

Morphology

Pterodactylidae = pterodactyl (semi-transparent) = pterodactyl + idae

Formed from 'pterodactyl' plus the scientific family suffix '-idae'; the relation to the base is direct but '-idae' is a technical taxonomic marker that may be unfamiliar to general learners.

Etymology

Pterodactylidae comes from Greek parts: ptero- meaning 'wing', -dactyl- meaning 'finger', and -idae meaning 'family'. So Pterodactylidae literally means the 'wing-finger family', which helps you remember this group of extinct flying reptiles whose wings were supported by a very long finger.