Definition

1. Noun:
   • A swift, agile, wolf-sized bipedal dinosaur: "Deinonychus" refers to a carnivorous dinosaur that walked on two legs, was roughly the size of a large wolf, and was known for its speed and agility.
   • Characterized by a large curved claw: It is most famously identified by the large, sickle-shaped claw on the second toe of each hind foot, which it likely used as a weapon.
   • From the Cretaceous period: This dinosaur lived during the Cretaceous period, which was the last period of the Mesozoic Era.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The paleontologists discovered a remarkably complete deinonychus skeleton.
  • Deinonychus is often studied for clues about the behavior of predatory dinosaurs.
  • The museum's exhibit features a life-sized model of a deinonychus poised to attack.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific context: Used to discuss theropod dinosaur anatomy, ecology, and its role in the theory that birds evolved from dinosaurs.
  • The structure of the deinonychus wrist provides key evidence for the dinosaur-bird connection.

Variants and Related Words

• Dromaeosaurid (n): The family (Dromaeosauridae) to which Deinonychus belongs, often called "raptor" dinosaurs.
  • Velociraptor and Deinonychus are both members of the dromaeosaurid family.

Synonyms

• Raptor (n, informal): A common, though scientifically imprecise, term used in popular culture for dromaeosaurid dinosaurs like Deinonychus. (Note: In precise scientific terms, "raptor" can refer to birds of prey.)
• Theropod dinosaur (n): The broader suborder (Theropoda) of bipedal, mostly carnivorous dinosaurs that includes Deinonychus.

Noun

1. swift agile wolf-sized bipedal dinosaur having a large curved claw on each hind foot; of the Cretaceous