archeopteryx
1 synonym for archeopteryx, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A fossil specimen of the ancient bird species that shows an early link between dinosaurs and birds.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
archaeopteryx
How to use archeopteryx
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
archeopteryx fossil
archeopteryx specimen
the discovery of archeopteryx
This is a specialist term used mainly in palaeontology and natural history writing.
Etymology
The word joins an English element meaning ancient or primitive, itself taken from Ancient Greek, with a Greek word for wing. Together they describe a primitive winged creature.
Full origin of archeopteryx →Frequently asked questions
What is an archeopteryx?
It is a fossil specimen of Archaeopteryx lithographica, the earliest and most primitive bird known, and it shows features linking dinosaurs to modern birds.
Is archeopteryx a dinosaur or a bird?
It is treated as the earliest known bird, but it also shows dinosaur-like features, which is why it is seen as a transitional form.
How do you spell archeopteryx?
Both archeopteryx and archaeopteryx are used; archaeopteryx is the spelling used in the scientific species name Archaeopteryx lithographica.
