-saurus

From the New Latin form of Ancient Greek σαῦρος (saûros, “lizard, reptile”). The broader use, which has become standard especially for dinosaurs, follows some of the earliest non-avian dinosaur genera to be named, particularly Megalosaurus (literally “giant lizard”).

-saurus m (feminine -saura, neuter -saurum)

1. Forms genus names of lizards.
2. Forms genus names of dinosaurs, ichthyosaurs, mosasaurs, and other large extinct reptiles.

• -saura

• -saur

From translingual and New Latin forms of Ancient Greek σαῦρος (saûros, “lizard, reptile”), used in taxonomic names of various dinosaurs.

• IPA^(key): /ˈsɔːɹəs/
• Rhymes: -ɔːɹəs

-saurus (plural -sauruses or -sauri)

1. Forms names for real or imaginary dinosaurs.