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archosaurian

9.9

A reptile from a group that includes crocodiles, dinosaurs, and pterosaurs

noun
/ˌɑrkəˈsɔrɪən/

Specialized

: arcosaurio

Fossil evidence suggests that archosaurians were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates during the Mesozoic Era.

Examples

Scientists believe the first birds evolved from small, feathered archosaurians.
Many archosaurians lived millions of years ago during the Mesozoic era.
The study compared the bone structures of modern crocodiles and their ancient archosaurian relatives.
The archosaurian fossils were discovered in a remote area of Mongolia.
Fossil evidence suggests that archosaurians were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates during the Mesozoic Era.
Many archosaurians lived millions of years ago during the Mesozoic era.
Scientists believe the first birds evolved from small, feathered archosaurians.

Synonyms

archosaurian reptile

vsarchosaurian

Specialized

9.9

A group of reptiles from long ago, like dinosaurs and flying reptiles

has identical meaning but uses a longer phrase form

archosaur

vsarchosaurian

Specialized

9.9

A group of extinct reptiles that includes ancestors and relatives of dinosaurs, flying reptiles, and crocodiles

is broader, including sea groups such as plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs

Compounds

archosaurian reptile

Specialized

9.9

A group of reptiles from long ago, like dinosaurs and flying reptiles

Surface Forms

archosaurian singular

archosaurians plural

Morphology

archosaurian = archosaur (transparent) = archosaur + ian

The noun use denotes 'a member of Archosauria' derived via the regular denominal/adjectival suffix '-ian', which is transparent for learners familiar with taxonomic terms.

Etymology

Archosaurian comes from Greek parts archo- meaning 'ruler' or 'chief' and sauros meaning 'lizard', the same sauros you find in dinosaur. So an archosaurian is a member of the 'ruling lizard' group, like a dinosaur or an early crocodile.