DINOSAUR

dinosaur

(noun) any of numerous extinct terrestrial reptiles of the Mesozoic era

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

dinosaur (plural dinosaurs)

In scientific usage, any of the animals belonging to the clade Dinosauria, especially those that existed during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and are now extinct. [from c. 1840]

In non-scientific usage, any non-avian dinosaur.

(proscribed) Any extinct reptile, not necessarily belonging to Dinosauria, that existed between about 230 million and 65 million years ago.

(figuratively, colloquial) A person or organisation that is very old, has very old-fashioned views, or is not willing to change and adapt.

(figuratively, colloquial) Anything no longer in common use or practice.

Usage notes

Many animals commonly described as dinosaurs do not belong to Dinosauria, and are not true dinosaurs. These include pterosaurs, ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs. Describing these as dinosaurs is frowned upon in scientific writing but persists in the media and in everyday speech.

Conversely, not all members of Dinosauria became extinct in the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event. Those that survived were the ancestors of modern birds, which therefore also belong to Dinosauria. However, birds are not usually described as dinosaurs, except in some popular science writing.

Synonyms

• (dinosaur excluding birds): nonavian dinosaur

• (person who is very old): fossil, old fart

Source: Wiktionary

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Di"no*saur, Di`no*sau"ri*an, n. Etym: [Gr. (Paleon.)

Definition: One of the Dinosauria. [Written also deinosaur, and deinosaurian.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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