saurian

[ sawr-ee-uhn ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Sauria, a group of reptiles originally including the lizards, crocodiles, and several extinct forms but now technically restricted to the lizards.
2. resembling a lizard.

noun

1. a saurian animal, as a dinosaur or lizard.

saurian

/ ˈsɔːrɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a lizard
2. of, relating to, or belonging to the Sauria, a former suborder of reptiles (now called Lacertilia ), which included the lizards

noun

1. a former name for lizard

saurian

/ sôr′ē-ən /

1. A lizard or similar reptile.

Word History and Origins

Origin of saurian¹

1800–10; < New Latin Sauri ( a ) an order of reptiles + -an; -saur

Word History and Origins

Origin of saurian¹

C15: from New Latin Sauria, from Greek sauros

Example Sentences

When within a few yards of the saurian, he threw a double charge of dynamite close up to it, and then turned to fly.

From Project Gutenberg

A river of some size enters, on the left hand, about six miles below the saurian encampment, which originates in a lake.

From Project Gutenberg

The bullet darted into the nearer eye and ripped through what little brain the saurian possessed.

From Project Gutenberg

But the term saurian is no longer in favour, and has faded from science, and is interesting only in ancient history of progress.

From Project Gutenberg

Most modern naturalists who use the term saurian still make it an equivalent of lizard, or an animal of the lizard kind.

From Project Gutenberg