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

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!