CETIOSAURUS Meaning and
Definition
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Cetiosaurus is a noun that refers to a genus of extinct sauropod dinosaurs that lived during the Jurassic period. Derived from the Greek words "ketos" meaning whale and "sauros" meaning lizard, the term cetiosaurus literally translates to "whale lizard." This name is in reference to its large size, which resembled that of the modern-day whales, and its reptilian nature.
Cetiosaurus is characterized by its long neck and tail, as well as its quadrupedal stance. It had a small head with a long snout and sharp teeth for feeding on vegetation. With a length of approximately 15 to 20 meters and an estimated weight ranging from 10 to 20 metric tons, it was one of the larger sauropods of its time.
The fossils of Cetiosaurus were discovered in England, particularly in the regions of Dorset and Somerset. They were first described in the early 19th century by the English paleontologist Sir Richard Owen. Since then, multiple species of Cetiosaurus have been identified, including C. oxoniensis and C. brachyurus.
Due to its classification as a sauropod, Cetiosaurus is believed to have been a herbivorous creature that primarily fed on plants and vegetation. Its impressive size and bulk were likely adaptations that allowed it to obtain and process large quantities of plant material, enabling it to thrive in its ancient ecosystem.
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In geol., a genus of marine saurians.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CETIOSAURUS
- xetiosaurus
- vetiosaurus
- fetiosaurus
- detiosaurus
- cwtiosaurus
- cstiosaurus
- cdtiosaurus
- crtiosaurus
- c4tiosaurus
- c3tiosaurus
- ceriosaurus
- cefiosaurus
- cegiosaurus
- ceyiosaurus
- ce6iosaurus
- ce5iosaurus
- cetuosaurus
- cetjosaurus
- cetkosaurus
- cetoosaurus
Etymology of CETIOSAURUS
The word "Cetiosaurus" is derived from Ancient Greek. It is a combination of two Greek words: "ketos", meaning "whale", and "sauros", meaning "lizard" or "reptile". This name was given to the dinosaur because its discoverers believed it resembled a whale-like reptile.
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