Archaeopteryx (Noun)
Meaning
Extinct primitive toothed bird of the Jurassic period having a long feathered tail and hollow bones; usually considered the most primitive of all birds.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The discovery of archaeopteryx provided a crucial link between the dinosaurs and the modern birds that came later.
- One of the most distinctive features of the archaeopteryx is its long bony tail with feathers, which was unique for a bird.
- Fossils of archaeopteryx date back to around 150 million years ago in what is now southern Germany.
- Scientists believe archaeopteryx to be one of the earliest, if not the earliest known ancestor of modern birds.
- The hollow bones and wishbone-shaped collarbone found in the archaeopteryx were early bird-like characteristics.