theropod

Dictionary: the·ro·pod (thîr'ə-pŏd') pronunciation

n.
Any of various large carnivorous saurischian dinosaurs of the suborder Theropoda of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, characterized by bipedal locomotion, large jaws, and short forelimbs.

[From New Latin Thēropoda, suborder name : Greek thēr, wild beast + New Latin -poda, -pod.]

theropodan the·rop'o·dan (thĭ-rŏp'ə-dən) adj. & n.

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Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: theropod

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Any species of bipedal, carnivorous saurischian in the suborder Theropoda. The chicken-sized Compsognathus,the smallest known adult dinosaur, probably weighed 2 – 4 lb (1 – 2 kg); the tyrannosaurs weighed tons. The theropods also included Allosaurus, Deinonychus, Megalosaurus, Oviraptor, and Velociraptor. Theropod remains recovered have been from the Late Triassic through the Late Cretaceous Epoch (227 – 65 million years ago) from all continents except Antarctica. Their well-developed hind legs provided support and locomotion; their short forelimbs had mobile hands, probably for grasping and tearing prey. Despite the group's name, which means "beast (i.e., mammal) foot," theropod feet usually resembled those of birds. It is widely believed that all modern birds are descended from one line of small theropods.

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WordNet: theropod

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Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: any of numerous carnivorous dinosaurs of the Triassic to Cretaceous with short forelimbs that walked or ran on strong hind legs
Synonyms: theropod dinosaur, bird-footed dinosaur

Learn More

	Ornithomimus (paleontology)
	theriomorphic
	Velociraptor (paleontology)

	What dinosaurs are example of theropods? Read answer...
	What clues indicate that birds are descendants of theropod dinosaurs? Read answer...
	What is the presumed evolutionary link between theropod dinosaurs and birds based on? Read answer...

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	What are the differences between birds and theropod dinosaurs?
	True or false Tyrannosaurus rex coelophysis and allosaurus are examples of theropods.?
	Why were theropods bipedal?

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		Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more
		Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
		WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more