pterosauria

Noun
Synonyms: Pterosauriaorder Pterosauria

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. extinct flying reptiles: pterosaursSynonyms: Pterosauriaorder Pterosauria
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Ornithosauria \Or*ni`tho*sau"ri*a\, prop. n. pl. [NL. See Ornitho-, and Sauria.] (Paleon.) An order of extinct flying reptiles; -- called also Pterosauria. [1913 Webster]
Pterosauria \Pter`o*sau"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Paleon.) An extinct order of flying reptiles of the Mesozoic age; the pterodactyls; -- called also Pterodactyli, and Ornithosauria. [1913 Webster]

Note: The wings were formed, like those of bats, by a leathery expansion of the skin, principally supported by the greatly enlarged outer or " little" fingers of the hands. The American Cretaceous pterodactyls had no teeth. See Pteranodontia, and Pterodactyl. [1913 Webster]

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