Brontosaurus
/ˌbrɒn.təˈsɔːr.əs/noun
A large extinct sauropod dinosaur, historically used for a genus now often treated as a species of Apatosaurus.
Did you know?Brontosaurus was coined in 1879 by paleontologist O. C. Marsh from Greek roots meaning “thunder lizard,” and the name became famous even though its taxonomic status was later disputed for over a century.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
brontē
“thunder”
Ancient Greek
Gk
sauros
“lizard”
1879
English
Brontosaurus
“a newly named giant sauropod dinosaur, the “thunder lizard””
20th Century
English
Brontosaurus
“a famous dinosaur name later debated in scientific classification”
Modern English
English
brontosaurus
“a popular name for a giant long-necked dinosaur”
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