archaeornis

noun

ar·​chae·​or·​nis

ˌärkēˈȯrnə̇s

1

capitalized : a genus of Upper Jurassic birds (subclass Archaeornithes) having a long feathered tail, showing reptilian characteristics in the absence of a bill, presence of teeth in the jaws, and on the wings three free digits with claws

2

plural -es : a bird or fossil of the genus Archaeornis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from archae- + -ornis

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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