archaeopterygian
|ar-chae-op-ter-y-gi-an|
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/ˌɑːrkiəˈpterɪdʒən/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑːkiəˈpterɪdʒiən/
ancient winged creature
Etymology
'archaeopterygian' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Archaeopterygia', formed from Greek 'arkhaîos' and 'pteryx', where 'arkhaîos' meant 'ancient' and 'pteryx' meant 'wing'.
'archaeopterygian' changed from the New Latin term 'Archaeopterygia' and the name 'Archaeopteryx' (coined for the Jurassic fossil), and eventually became the modern English adjective/noun 'archaeopterygian'.
Initially it referred literally to the 'ancient wing' (the name given to the fossil genus), but over time it evolved to mean 'a primitive birdlike reptile or member of Archaeopterygia' and adjectives describing resemblance to such fossils.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a member of the group Archaeopterygia; a primitive, birdlike prehistoric reptile or early bird (often referring to fossils related to Archaeopteryx).
Several archaeopterygian specimens show both feathered wings and reptilian teeth.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to or resembling Archaeopteryx or members of Archaeopterygia (used in descriptions, e.g., 'archaeopterygian features').
The fossil displays archaeopterygian characteristics such as feathers and a long bony tail.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/12 02:07