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ichthyosaur

(ik′t̸hē ō sôr′, -t̸hē ə-)

noun

any of an extinct order (Ichthyosauria) of prehistoric marine reptiles, which had a fishlike body, four paddle-shaped flippers, and a dolphinlike head

Origin: < ModL < ichthyo- + -saur

Related Forms:

ichthyosaurian adjective

See ichthyosaur in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. ich·thy·o·saurs also ich·thy·o·sau·ri (-sôrˈīˌ)

Any of various extinct fishlike marine reptiles of the order Ichthyosauria of the Triassic Period to the Cretaceous Period, having a porpoiselike head and an elongated, toothed snout.

Origin:

Origin: From New Latin ichthyosaurus

Origin: : Greek ikhthuo-, ichthyo-

Origin: + Greek sauros, lizard

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