archipterygial
|ar-chi-pte-ry-gi-al|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑr.kɪp.təˈrɪdʒ.i.əl/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑː.kɪp.təˈrɪdʒ.ɪəl/
ancient, primitive wing
Etymology
'archipterygial' originates from New Latin/Greek elements: Greek 'arkhi-' (ἀρχι-) meaning 'chief, original, ancient' and Greek 'pteryx' (πτέρυξ) meaning 'wing' or 'feather'.
'archipterygial' was formed in modern scientific English from New Latin/Greek roots related to 'Archaeopteryx' (the genus name meaning 'ancient wing'), and then adapted into the adjectival form 'archipterygial'.
Initially the roots referred to 'ancient wing' (as in the genus name); over time the derived adjective came to mean 'relating to primitive feathered wings or resembling Archaeopteryx.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to primitive or ancient wings (especially feathered wings) or to the genus Archaeopteryx; having characteristics of early feathered wings.
The fossil displays archipterygial features that suggest an early form of flight.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/07 09:09