| velociraptor | |
noun | |
| small active carnivore that probably fed on protoceratops; possibly related more closely to birds than to other dinosaurs |
velociraptor  (və-lŏs'ə-rāp'tər) Pronunciation Key
A small, fast, carnivorous dinosaur of the genus Velociraptor of the Cretaceous Period that was about 2 m (6.5 ft) in length. It had long curved claws for grasping and tearing at prey, walked on two legs that were adapted for leaping, and had a long stiff tail used as a counterweight. Velociraptors were a kind of raptor. |