pterodactyl

 
Pronunciation: /ˌtɛrəˈdaktɪl/

noun

  • a pterosaur of the late Jurassic period, with a long slender head and neck and a very short tail.
    • Family Pterodactylidae, order Pterosauria: several genera, including Pterodactylus
  • (in general use) any pterosaur.

Origin:

early 19th century: from modern Latin Pterodactylus (genus name), from Greek pteron 'wing' + daktulos 'finger'

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