English Explanatory Dictionary

pterodactyl

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A pterosaur of the genus Pterodactylus.
  2. Any pterosaur.

Pronunciation

/ˌtɛɹəˈdæktl̩/ /ˌtɛɹəˈdæktɪl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-pterodactyl.wav

Word forms

pterodactyl pterodactyls

Etymology

From French ptérodactyle, a term coined by Cuvier from Ancient Greek πτερόν (pterón, “wing”) + δάκτυλος (dáktulos, “finger”). By surface analysis, ptero- + -dactyl.

Related words

pterodactylic dactylo- dactyly polydactyly syndactyly

Derived words

pterodactylane pterodactyllike pterodactyloid
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