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]