| Main Entry: | basilosaurus |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a large primitive marine cetacean (Basilosaurus cetoides) of the Eocene epoch, with a long serpentlike body, distinctive teeth, and hind limbs |
| Example: | Basilosaurus skeletons are very well preserved and quite common in some places in Egypt and the USA, showing that they grew up to about 18m long. |
| Etymology: | Latin basileus 'king' + -sauros 'lizard' |
| Usage: | science |