Eurypterid
/jʊəˈrɪptərɪd/noun
An extinct aquatic arthropod of the order Eurypterida, often called a sea scorpion.
Did you know?Some eurypterids reached more than two metres in length, making them among the largest arthropods ever known, although most species were much smaller.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pet-
“To rush, fly, or spread wings”
Ancient Greek
Greek
eurys
“Broad or wide”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pteron
“Wing”
1825
New Latin
Eurypterus
“A genus name formed from Greek eurys, “broad,” and pteron, “wing””
19th Century
New Latin
Eurypterida
“The taxonomic order containing Eurypterus and related fossil arthropods”
19th Century
English
eurypterid
“A member of the order Eurypterida, commonly a fossil sea scorpion”
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