sauropterygian

sau·rop·ter·yg·i·an  (sô-rpt-rj-n)

n.

Any of various extinct aquatic reptiles of the superorder Sauropterygia that flourished during the Mesozoic Era and included the plesiosaurs.

adj.

Of or relating to a sauropterygian.

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[From New Latin Sauropterygia, superorder name : Greek sauros, lizard + Greek pterux, pterug-, wing, flipper; see pet- in Indo-European roots.]

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sauropterygian  (sô-rpt-rj-n)

Any of various extinct aquatic reptiles of the group Sauropterygia of the Mesozoic Era. Sauropterygians were carnivorous, had paddlelike limbs, and included the plesiosaurs. They were distantly related to the dinosaurs.