Definition

Noun: 1. A genus of medium-sized theropod dinosaur: Ceratosaurus refers to a specific type of carnivorous dinosaur from the Jurassic period, characterized by its bipedal stance, sharp claws, and a distinctive short horn on its snout.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The museum's new exhibit features a complete skeleton of a ceratosaurus.
  • Paleontologists believe the ceratosaurus was a swift predator.
  • The most recognizable feature of the ceratosaurus is the horn on its nose.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific classification: The term is used specifically to refer to the genus , which includes species like .
  • The fossil was identified as belonging to the genus Ceratosaurus.

Variants and Related Words

• Ceratosaur (n): A broader term for any member of the ceratosauria infraorder, which includes Ceratosaurus and its relatives.
  • Abelisaurus is another type of ceratosaur.
• Ceratosaurian (adj): Describing characteristics of or relating to ceratosaurs.
  • The researcher studied ceratosaurian anatomy.

Synonyms

• Predatory dinosaur: A general term for meat-eating dinosaurs.
• Theropod: The larger suborder of bipedal, mostly carnivorous dinosaurs to which Ceratosaurus belongs.

Related Terms (Contextual)

• Jurassic: The geologic period (approximately 201 to 145 million years ago) during which Ceratosaurus lived.
• Bipedal: Describing an animal that walks on two legs.
• Carnivorous: Describing an animal that eats meat.

Noun

1. primitive medium-sized theropod; swift-running bipedal carnivorous dinosaur having grasping hands with sharp claws and a short horn between the nostrils; Jurassic in North America