Ceratops
/ˈsɛr.ə.tɒps/noun
A genus of horned dinosaurs, and by extension a name used in paleontology for horned ceratopsian dinosaurs.
Did you know?The name comes from Greek keras/keratos (“horn”) + ops (“face”), the same ancient root behind words like “triceratops” and “cyclops,” where body parts became names of legendary beings.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κέρας (kéras) + ὤψ (ṓps)
“horn + face, eye, or appearance”
19th Century
English
Ceratops
“A scientific genus name coined for a horned dinosaur”
Late 19th Century
English
ceratopsian
“Relating to horned dinosaurs of the Ceratopsia group”
Modern English
English
ceratops
“Used in dinosaur names and paleontological classification for horned forms”