dinosaur
UK: ˈdaɪnəsɔː | US: ˈdaɪnəsɔːr
n. 1. An extinct reptile of the Mesozoic era, often of enormous size.
n. 2. (figuratively) Something outdated or obsolete.
dinosaur = dino<terrible> + saur<lizard>
- dino (from Greek deinos, meaning "terrible" or "fearfully great")
- saur (from Greek sauros, meaning "lizard" or "reptile")
Etymology Origin:
Coined in 1842 by British paleontologist Sir Richard Owen, "dinosaur" combines Greek deinos (terrible) and sauros (lizard) to describe the fossilized reptiles' imposing size and formidable appearance. The term reflects the awe these creatures inspired upon their discovery. Over time, "dinosaur" also evolved metaphorically to describe anything perceived as antiquated or inefficient.
The Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the most fearsome dinosaurs.
Children love learning about dinosaurs at the natural history museum.
His management style is outdated—he’s a real dinosaur in the tech industry.
Fossils suggest dinosaurs dominated Earth for over 160 million years.
The documentary explored how dinosaurs might have sounded.