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ceratopsian

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noun cer·a·top·sian \ ˌsər-ə-ˈtäp-sē-ən \

Definition of ceratopsian

:any of a suborder (Ceratopsia) of ornithischian dinosaurs of the Late Cretaceous having horns, a sharp horny beak, and a bony frill projecting backward from the skull

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ceratopsian

adjective

Recent Examples of ceratopsian from the Web

The findings are the latest in a long-running controversy over why ceratopsians—the dinosaur group containing Triceratops—lugged around massive, bony frills on their heads.

— michael greshko, National Geographic, "Horned Dinosaurs May Have Used Their Frills to Flirt," 21 Jan. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ceratopsian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ceratopsian

New Latin Ceratopsia, from Ceratops, a genus, from Greek kerat-, keras horn + ōps face — more at horn, eye

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First Known Use: 1909

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ceratopsian

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BROWSE DICTIONARY

Ceratops

Ceratopsia

ceratopsian

ceratopsid

Ceratopsidae

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