Meaning & Definition of word "Dinosaur"
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Dinosaur
/ˈdaɪ.nə.sɔːr/
noun:
- 1. A diverse group of reptiles that first appeared during the Late Triassic period, often characterized by their large size and varied forms, some of which were herbivorous and others were carnivorous.
- Example: The museum has an impressive skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex, one of the most famous dinosaurs.
- 2. Informally, a person or thing that is outdated or has become irrelevant.
- Example: He is considered a dinosaur in the tech industry, resistant to change and new ideas.
- 3. Any of a group of large, extinct reptiles of the clade Dinosauria.
- Example: Paleontologists discover new species of dinosaurs every year that expand our understanding of prehistoric life.
Etymology
From Greek 'deinos' (terrible) and 'sauros' (lizard or reptile).
Common Phrases and Expressions
dinosaur in the room:
A significant problem that is ignored or unaddressed.
dinosaur technology:
Outdated or obsolete technology.
Related Words
paleontology:
The branch of science concerned with fossil animals and plants.
extinction:
The state or process of a species, family, or larger group being or becoming extinct.
reptile:
A class of animals characterized by scaly skin and laying eggs.
Slang Meanings of dinosaur
Meaning: An outdated person or system.
Example Sentence: He's still using floppy disks; what a dinosaur!
Meaning: Someone or something that is old-fashioned.
Example Sentence: Her ideas about marketing are so dinosaur.