velociraptor

[ vuh-los-uh-rap-ter, ‐tawr ]

noun

1. a small carnivorous dinosaur of the genus Velociraptor , from the late Cretaceous period, capable of leaping, and growing to a length of about 6 feet (2 meters), having feathers, a flat snout, short forelimbs with large handlike talons, and a large sickle-shaped claw on each foot.

velociraptor

/ və-lŏs′ə-răp′tər /

1. A small, fast, carnivorous dinosaur of the genus Velociraptor of the Cretaceous Period that was about 2 m (6.5 ft) in length. It had long curved claws for grasping and tearing at prey, walked on two legs that were adapted for leaping, and had a long stiff tail used as a counterweight. Velociraptors were a kind of raptor.

Word History and Origins

Origin of velociraptor¹

1920–25; < New Latin, equivalent to veloci-, stem of vēlox “swift, quick” + raptor ( def )

Example Sentences

The original “Jurassic Park” film spooked audiences by imagining velociraptors smart enough to open doors.

From Los Angeles Times

“The only dinosaurs that walked on two toes were ‘raptors’ like velociraptor and their close relatives.”

From New York Times

Theropods were a carnivorous group of reptiles including the more famous velociraptors and Tyrannosaurus rex.

From Washington Times

“When opening the door, detectives could clearly see the velociraptor was sitting right inside,” Benson said.

From Seattle Times

And so we take pleasure watching Larry David saunter around instigating petty grievances, testing the boundaries of our social rules like a velociraptor systematically testing the electric fences in “Jurassic Park.”

From New York Times