saurischian
- noun
- /sɔːˈrɪskiən/
- Specialized
:
saurisquio
- Many paleontologists study saurischians to understand the evolution of both herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs.
Examples
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The T. rex is one of the most famous saurischians known for its sharp teeth and powerful build.
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The fossil discovered in Argentina belonged to a large saurischian, showcasing features similar to modern crocodiles.
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The saurischian predator of unknown species slavers, roars, and glares.
Fiction book (1991) -
The thinko scans it and tells him that it is a representative of an unknown species belonging to the saurischian order, and it is almost certainly predatory.
Fiction book (1991)
Synonyms
390
3.0
A large extinct animal from long ago, like T. rex
6
2.7
A short informal word for a dinosaur that children use
1
9.9
A group of extinct dinosaurs with lizard-like hips, like Tyrannosaurus and Brachiosaurus
A dinosaur with hip bones like a crocodile, including plant-eaters and meat-eaters
Compounds
- Specialized
A dinosaur with hip bones like a crocodile, including plant-eaters and meat-eaters
Surface Forms
Morphology
saurischian = Saurischia (opaque) = Saurischia + ian
Derived from the taxonomic name 'Saurischia' plus the adjectival suffix '-ian'; the term is specialized and built from Greek combining elements unfamiliar to average learners.
Etymology
Saurischian comes from Greek parts saur- meaning 'lizard' and -ischian meaning 'hip'. So a saurischian is 'lizard-hipped' and the name describes dinosaurs with crocodile-like hips. You can remember saur- because it appears in dinosaur and Tyrannosaurus.