hesperornis

[ hes-puh-rawr-nis ]

noun

1. a toothed aquatic bird of the extinct genus Hesperornis, fossils of which are found in rocks of Cretaceous age in Kansas, having the rear legs modified for swimming and reaching a length of more than 4 feet (1.2 meters).

Word History and Origins

Origin of hesperornis¹

< New Latin (1872) < Greek Hésper ( os ) Hesperus + órnis bird

Example Sentences

It was over twenty feet across his wings, from tip to tip; and, like the Hesperornis, he always had fish for dinner.

From Project Gutenberg

The swimming Hesperornis (see Odontornithes) was also devoid of such a structure.

From Project Gutenberg

This order includes only an extinct N. American bird Hesperornis.

From Project Gutenberg

They are of two leading types, of which the Ichthyornis and Hesperornis are the standard specimens.

From Project Gutenberg

Another (Hesperornis regalis) stood five or six feet high, and had rudimentary wings like those of the Penguins.

From Project Gutenberg