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Glite Dictionary
Archaeornithes

Archaeornithes

9.9
An extinct group of early birds that looked like small dinosaurs
  • noun
  • /ˌɑrkiˈɔrnəˌθiz/
  • Specialized
: Archaeornithes
  • The discovery of Archaeornithes fossils has shed light on the evolution of modern birds.

Examples

  • Paleontologists debate how Archaeornithes are related to both dinosaurs and contemporary birds.

  • Some characteristics of Archaeornithes closely resemble those of small theropod dinosaurs.

  • The Archaeornithes are fascinating creatures from the Jurassic period.

  • Did you know that Archaeornithes had feathers?

  • The discovery of Archaeornithes fossils has shed light on the evolution of modern birds.

  • Some characteristics of Archaeornithes closely resemble those of small theropod dinosaurs.

  • The Archaeornithes are fascinating creatures from the Jurassic period.

Surface Forms

Archaeornithes singular
Archaeornithes plural

Morphology

Archaeornithes = archaeo + ornith + es

Formed from Greek combining forms 'archaeo-' (ancient) + 'ornith-' (bird) with a pluralizing '-es'; the components give a literal meaning ('ancient birds') but they are technical combining forms not standalone English words, so the term is only partly accessible to average learners.

Etymology

Archaeornithes comes from Greek parts archaeo- meaning 'ancient' and -ornithes meaning 'birds', so you can remember it as 'ancient birds'. That's why Archaeornithes refers to very old, primitive birds whose fossils help us see how modern birds began.