Main Entry: tu·a·ta·ra

Pronunciation: \ˌtü-ə-ˈtär-ə\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural tu·a·tara or tu·a·taras

Etymology: Maori tuatàra

Date: 1890

: a large spiny quadrupedal reptile (Sphenodon punctatum) of islands off the coast of New Zealand that has a vestigial third eye in the middle of the forehead representing the pineal gland and that is the only surviving rhynchocephalian

[tuatara illustration]