Ichthyosaur
/ˈɪk.θi.ə.sɔːr/noun
An extinct marine reptile with a body shape resembling that of a fish or dolphin.
Did you know?The word was coined in the early 19th century from Greek roots to describe fossil reptiles that looked so fish-like they seemed like a myth come to life.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἰχθύς (ichthýs)
“fish”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σαῦρος (saûros)
“lizard”
Early 19th Century
English
ichthyosaurus
“a fossil reptile thought to be a fish-like lizard”
19th Century
English
ichthyosaur
“shortened scientific name for the extinct marine reptile group”
Modern English
English
ichthyosaur
“an extinct marine reptile with a fish-like body”
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