Saur
/sɔːr/noun
A lizard, especially one belonging to a lizard-related group, or a combining form used in zoological names.
Did you know?The Greek word sauros meant “lizard” and became a scientific naming element in the nineteenth century, helping classify dinosaurs and other reptiles.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
σαῦρος (sauros)
“Lizard”
Classical Latin
Latin
saurus
“Lizard; a Greek zoological borrowing”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
-saurus
“A taxonomic combining form meaning “lizard,” used in reptile names”
19th Century
English
saur
“A lizard or lizard-related form”
Modern English
English
saur
“A standalone zoological term or combining form in names for reptiles and extinct reptile-like animals”