Archaeopteryx lithographica
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌɑrkiˈɒptərɪks lɪˌθɒgrəˈfɪkə/
- Specialized
- The discovery of Archaeopteryx lithographica provided crucial evidence for the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds.
Examples
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Scientists often cite Archaeopteryx lithographica when discussing the origins of avian flight.
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Fossils of Archaeopteryx lithographica have been found in limestone deposits in Germany.
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The Archaeopteryx lithographica is often considered a link between dinosaurs and modern birds.
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Did you know that the first fossil of Archaeopteryx lithographica was discovered in 1861?
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Fossils of Archaeopteryx lithographica have been found in limestone deposits in Germany.
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Scientists often cite Archaeopteryx lithographica when discussing the origins of avian flight.
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The discovery of Archaeopteryx lithographica provided crucial evidence for the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds.
Synonyms
3
9.9
An extinct early bird with dinosaur features
A bird-like animal from the Jurassic with feathers and dinosaur features
Surface Forms
Morphology
Archaeopteryx + lithographica
This is a Latin binomial scientific name rather than a compositional English phrase; a B1 learner who knows the listed constituents would not be able to derive 'an extinct primitive toothed bird from the Jurassic' from them because 'lithographica' is not an English word in the dictionary and 'Archaeopteryx' is specialized. Scientific names are arbitrary labels built from classical roots and require subject-knowledge, so the meaning is not predictable from the parts.
Etymology
Archaeopteryx lithographica gets its name from Greek words and the rock where it was found: Archaeopteryx means 'ancient' and 'wing', and lithographica refers to the fine stone that held its fossil. So the name literally says 'ancient wing in stone', which fits this early bird known from rock fossils.