-saurus
Translingual edit
Etymology edit
From Ancient Greek σαῦρος (saûros, “lizard, reptile”). The broader use, which has become standard especially for dinosaurs, follows some of the earliest non-avian dinosaur genera to be named, particularly Megalosaurus (literally “giant lizard”).
Suffix edit
-saurus m
- Forms genus names of lizards.
- Forms genus names of dinosaurs, ichthyosaurs, mosasaurs, and other large extinct reptiles.
Derived terms edit
Related terms edit
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Ancient Greek σαῦρος (saûros, “lizard, reptile”), inspired by its use in taxonomic names for dinosaurs.
Pronunciation edit
Suffix edit
-saurus (plural -sauruses or -sauri)
- Forms names for real or imaginary dinosaurs.