Advertisement

Advertisement

pelycosaur

[ pel-i-kuh-sawr ]

noun

  1. any of a group of large primitive reptiles belonging to the extinct order Pelycosauria, abundant in North America and Europe during the Permian Period, often having a tall spinal sail.


pelycosaur

/ ˈpɛlɪkəʊˌsɔː /

noun

  1. any extinct mammal-like reptile of the order Pelycosauria, of Upper Carboniferous to Lower Permian times, from which the therapsids are thought to have evolved


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of pelycosaur1

< New Latin Pelycosauria (1878), equivalent to Greek pelyk-, stem of pélyx wooden bowl, cup (taken as meaning pelvis, parallel to the New Latin sense of Latin pelvis ) + -o- -o- + saûr ( os ) -saur + New Latin -ia -ia; so named from the peculiar form of the ischium in such reptiles

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of pelycosaur1

C19: from New Latin Pelycosauria, from Greek pelyx bowl, pelvis , + -saur

Discover More

Example Sentences

On a new pelycosaur from the lower Permian of Oklahoma, and the origin of the family Caseidae.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


pelvisPematangsiantar