What does velociraptor mean?
The velociraptor was a small, feathered carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was known for its intelligence, pack hunting behavior, and sharp claws. The word 'velociraptor' is often used to describe any large, carnivorous dinosaur, but technically it refers specifically to the genus Velociraptor. In the movie 'Jurassic Park', the velociraptors are depicted as intelligent and pack-hunting creatures. The velociraptor's intelligence and hunting behavior have made it a popular subject in paleontology and popular culture. Despite its fearsome reputation, the velociraptor was a relatively small animal, about the size of a large turkey. Its feathers and sharp claws made it a formidable predator in its time, and its legacy continues to captivate people today.
A small, feathered carnivorous dinosaur of the Late Cretaceous period
"The velociraptor was a formidable predator that roamed the Earth during the Late Cretaceous period."
The word 'velociraptor' is often used to describe any large, carnivorous dinosaur, but technically it refers specifically to the genus Velociraptor.
A large, carnivorous dinosaur, especially one that is intelligent and pack-hunting
"In the movie 'Jurassic Park', the velociraptors are depicted as intelligent and pack-hunting creatures."
This sense of the word is often used in popular culture to describe any large, carnivorous dinosaur.
The plural form 'velociraptors' is used to describe multiple velociraptors.
"A group of velociraptors hunted together in the Late Cretaceous period."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of velociraptor
The word 'velociraptor' comes from the Latin words 'velox', meaning swift or rapid, and 'raptor', meaning plunderer or robber. The genus Velociraptor was first described in 1924 by the Polish paleontologist Stanislaw Szalay.
How velociraptor is actually used
The word 'velociraptor' is often used to describe any large, carnivorous dinosaur, but technically it refers specifically to the genus Velociraptor.