What does deinonychus mean?
Deinonychus is an extinct genus of bipedal, carnivorous theropod dinosaur best known from western North America. Its most striking feature was a large, sickle-shaped, retractable claw on each foot, which it may have used in combat or to hold prey. The genus is usually represented by the species Deinonychus antirrhopus. Deinonychus was named in 1866 by American palaeontologist Othniel Charles Marsh using Greek elements meaning “terrible” and “claw.” In modern writing, the name is capitalized and italicized because it is a taxonomic genus name rather than a common noun. It is frequently described informally as a “raptor,” a broad term used for some predatory bird-like dinosaurs, although that expression does not identify a formal taxonomic group. The word is chiefly encountered in palaeontology, museum exhibitions, books on dinosaurs, and discussions of the anatomy and hunting strategies of dromaeosaurid dinosaurs.
nounDeinonychus is an extinct genus of bipedal, carnivorous theropod dinosaurs, distinguished by a large retractable, sickle-shaped claw on each foot. The name means “terrible claw,” and the best-known species is Deinonychus antirrhopus.
- A genus of bipedal, carnivorous theropod dinosaurs, especially Deinonychus antirrhopus, distinguished by a large retractable claw on each foot.
"The fossilized foot of a Deinonychus displays the large curved claw that gave the dinosaur its name."
"The museum's new display reconstructs a Deinonychus moving through a forest environment."
"Palaeontologists study Deinonychus fossils to understand the anatomy and behavior of early dromaeosaurids."
As a scientific genus name, Deinonychus is normally left unchanged when referring to multiple individuals or specimens.
"Several Deinonychus skeletons have been reconstructed from fossil evidence."
Deinonychus was literally named for its footwear: each foot carried a formidable, retractable sickle-shaped claw.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does deinonychus come from?
Deinonychus was coined by American palaeontologist Othniel Charles Marsh in 1866. It combines the Greek deinos, meaning “terrible” or “fearful,” with onyx, with the combining form onych- meaning “claw” or “nail.” The first element also underlies dinosaur, while the second is the source of words such as onyx, onychosis, and onychectomy.
How deinonychus is actually used
As a scientific genus name, Deinonychus is normally capitalized and italicized. It is often informally called a “raptor,” although “raptor” is a broader, non-formal grouping that includes several dinosaur lineages.