Sauropterygian definition
Any of various extinct aquatic reptiles of the group Sauropterygia that flourished during the Mesozoic Era and included the plesiosaurs.
noun
Any of various extinct aquatic reptiles of the group Sauropterygia of the Mesozoic Era. Sauropterygians were carnivorous, had paddlelike limbs, and included the plesiosaurs. They were distantly related to the dinosaurs.
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
sauropterygian
Plural:
sauropterygiansOrigin of sauropterygian
- From New Latin Sauropterygia superorder name Greek sauros lizard Greek pterux pterug- wing, flipper pet- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition