Mosasaur definition
Any of various extinct carnivorous marine reptiles of the family Mosasauridae of the Cretaceous Period, having an elongated body, powerful jaws, and paddlelike limbs. Some species reached lengths of over 15 meters (50 feet).
noun
Any of various medium-sized to large extinct aquatic lizards of the family Mosasauridae of the Cretaceous Period, having modified limbs that served as paddles for swimming. Some species reached lengths of over 15 meters (50 feet).
An large extinct marine reptile in the family Mosasauridae, dominant marine predator of the Cretaceous; the ancestor of modern snakes. [from c. 1840]
noun
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Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
mosasaur
Plural:
mosasaursOrigin of mosasaur
- New Latin Mosasaurus genus name Latin Mosa the Meuse River (where fossils of the genus were first discovered) Greek sauros lizard
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- mosa- +"Ž -saur
From Wiktionary