How Do You Spell MOSASAURUS?

Pronunciation: [mˌɒsɐsˈɔːɹəs] (IPA)

Mosasaurus is a genus of extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. The spelling of Mosasaurus is rooted in the Greek words "mósa" meaning "the Meuse River" and "sauros" meaning "lizard". The phonetic transcription of Mosasaurus using International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols is /məʊsəˈsɔːrəs/. The "s" sound is pronounced as a voiced [z] because it comes between two vowels. This pronunciation is also reflected in the modern English pronunciation of the word "meze".

MOSASAURUS Meaning and Definition

1. Mosasaurus is a noun that refers to a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the family Mosasauridae. It was a formidable prehistoric creature that inhabited the oceans during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 66 million years ago.

   A Mosasaurus was a large aquatic reptile, characterized by its streamlined body, powerful jaws, and paddle-like limbs which were adapted for swift swimming. It possessed a long tail and was equipped with sharp teeth, making it an apex predator of its time. With an estimated length of up to 50 feet (15 meters), it was among the largest known marine reptiles.

   These reptiles were widespread in both shallow and deep waters, and fossil evidence suggests that they had a global distribution. They likely inhabited various marine environments, from coastal regions to open seas, preying on smaller aquatic animals such as fish, mollusks, and other marine reptiles.

   The name "Mosasaurus" is derived from the Latin words "Mosa" (referring to the Meuse River in the Netherlands, where the first remains of this genus were discovered in the 18th century) and "saurus" (meaning lizard). Its discovery played a significant role in shaping our understanding of prehistoric marine life and the complexity of Earth's past ecosystems. Today, fossils of Mosasaurus remain highly prized by paleontologists and are important in unraveling the mysteries of our planet's ancient seas.

2. • In geol., a gigantic marine reptile of the Upper Chalk, allied to the crocodile-so called from its first being found in the Maestricht beds.

   • See mosaesaurus.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for MOSASAURUS

• mosasaueus
• mosasau4us
• moesasaurus
• mosasauus
• Mosasaerus

Etymology of MOSASAURUS

The word "Mosasaurus" is derived from Latin. It comes from the combination of two Latin words: "Mosa" and "saurus".

1. "Mosa": This refers to the Meuse River (Latin: Mosa), which flows through Belgium and the Netherlands. The first specimen of Mosasaurus was discovered along the banks of the Meuse River in Maastricht, Netherlands, in the early 18th century. Therefore, the name "Mosa" is a tribute to the region where the creature was initially found.

2. "Saurus": This is a common Greek word that means "lizard" or "reptile". In the early days of paleontological discoveries, many ancient extinct reptiles were given names ending in "-saurus" to denote their reptilian nature. Thus, "saurus" in Mosasaurus signifies that it is a prehistoric aquatic reptile.

Plural form of MOSASAURUS is MOSASAURI