saurischian

[saw-ris-kee-uh n] /sɔˈrɪs ki ən/

noun

any herbivorous or carnivorous dinosaur of the order Saurischia, having a three-pronged pelvis resembling that of a crocodile.

Compare ornithischian.

adjective

belonging or pertaining to the Saurischia.

Origin

1885-90; < Neo-Latin Saurischi(a) name of the order (Saur(ia) (see -saur) + Latin -ischi(um) ischium + -a -a¹) + -an

British Dictionary definitions for saurischian

saurischian

/sɔːˈrɪskɪən/

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the Saurischia, an order of late Triassic to Cretaceous dinosaurs including the theropods and sauropods

noun

any dinosaur belonging to the order Saurischia; a lizard-hipped dinosaur

Word Origin

C19: from New Latin Saurischia, from saurus + ischium

saurischian in Science

saurischian

(sô-rĭs'kē-ən)
Any of various dinosaurs belonging to the group Saurischia, one of the two main divisions of dinosaurs. Saurischians had a pelvis similar to that of modern reptiles, in which the pubis pointed forward. Saurischians include all the carnivorous dinosaurs (theropods) as well as the herbivorous sauropods, and often grew to great size. Birds are descended from one group of saurischians. Compare ornithischian.