Troodon

noun

Tro·​o·​don

ˈtrōəˌdän

: a genus of relatively small North American, carnivorous, ornithopod dinosaurs (family Troodontidae) of the late Cretaceous having serrated teeth, sickle-shaped claws, long, slender hind legs and a large brain and reaching a length of 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters)

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from tro- (probably from Greek trōgein to gnaw) + -odon

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

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