Main Entry:

ar·chae·op·ter·yx

Pronunciation:

\ˌär-kē-ˈäp-tə-riks\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

New Latin, from archae- + Greek pteryx wing; akin to Greek pteron wing — more at feather

Date:

1859

: a primitive crow-sized bird (genus Archaeopteryx) of the Upper Jurassic period of Europe having reptilian characteristics (as teeth and a long bony tail)