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Glite Dictionary
Pterodactylus

Pterodactylus

9.9
A small extinct flying reptile from the Jurassic with a long beak and wings that ate fish
  • noun
  • /ˌtɛrəˈdæktɪləs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Pterodactylus
  • The fossil remains of a Pterodactylus were found in a Jurassic period rock layer.

Examples

  • Scientists believe that Pterodactylus had a wingspan that could reach over two meters.

  • However, the Pterodactylus clade all had slender humeri, some more slender than their femora, but they were all derived from tiny pterosaurs with a thicker humerus.

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  • In documentaries, Pterodactylus is often depicted flying gracefully through the skies of the prehistoric world.

Synonyms

pterodactyl
vsPterodactylus
43 9.7

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

is the specific genus from the Jurassic known for long beaks and wings
pterosaur
vsPterodactylus
5 9.9

A flying reptile that lived in the time of the dinosaurs with thin skin wings like a bat

is a narrower genus within that group notable for long beaks and wings
flying reptile
vsPterodactylus
1 8.5

An extinct animal with wings like a bat made of skin and supported by one long finger

is more specific meaning one genus from the Jurassic with long beaks and wings

Surface Forms

Pterodactylus singular
Pterodactyluses plural

Etymology

Pterodactylus comes from the Greek parts pteron 'wing' and daktylos 'finger', a helpful image because its wing was supported by a very long finger. So the name means 'wing-finger' and fits this extinct flying reptile known for its long beak and wings.