|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
pterodactyl
pterodactyl Any of several species of small pterosaur. Now extinct, pterosaurs were flying reptiles distributed worldwide in Jurassic and Cretaceous times. Pterodactyls were almost tail-less, with large toothed beaks and flimsy membranous wings. Fossil remains show a lack of muscular development and the absence of a breast keel. It is therefore believed that pterodactyls were gliders, incapable of sustained flapping flight.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"pterodactyl." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pterodactyl." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-pterodactyl.html "pterodactyl." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-pterodactyl.html |
|
pterodactyl
pter·o·dac·tyl / ˌterəˈdaktəl/ • n. a pterosaur (Pterodactylus and other genera, family Pterodactylidae) of the late Jurassic period, with a long slender head and neck and a very short tail. ∎ (in general use) any pterosaur. |
|
|
Cite this article
"pterodactyl." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pterodactyl." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-pterodactyl.html "pterodactyl." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-pterodactyl.html |
|
pterodactyl
pterodactyl extinct winged reptile. XIX. f. Gr. pterón wing + dáktulos finger.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "pterodactyl." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "pterodactyl." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-pterodactyl.html T. F. HOAD. "pterodactyl." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-pterodactyl.html |
|
pterodactyl
pterodactyl , popular term for a pterosaur . |
|
|
Cite this article
"pterodactyl." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pterodactyl." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-IX-pterodac.html "pterodactyl." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-IX-pterodac.html |
|
pterodactyl
pterodactyl •anthill • Edgehill • sidehill • molehill
•foothill • dunghill
•sigil, strigil, vigil
•strongyle • Virgil • Gaitskell • orchil
•roadkill • Danakil • overkill
•amyl, Tamil
•treadmill • windmill • gristmill
•sawmill • watermill • vinyl • mini-pill
•overspill • Caryl
•mandrel, mandrill
•Avril
•beryl, Cheryl, chrysoberyl, imperil, Merrill, peril, Sheryl
•tendril • April • Cyril • fibril • nombril
•nostril • Bovril • tumbril • escadrille
•espadrille • gracile • Cecil • utensil
•codicil • windowsill
•dactyl, pterodactyl
•pastille • standstill
•dentil, lentil, ventil
•quintile • pistil • postil • tormentil
•ethyl
|
|
|
Cite this article
"pterodactyl." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pterodactyl." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-pterodactyl.html "pterodactyl." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-pterodactyl.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
