Caenagnathiformes

plural noun

Cae·​nag·​nath·​i·​for·​mes

¦sēˌnagˌnathəˈfȯrˌmēz,

¦kīˌn-

: an order of Canadian Cretaceous birds (Neognathae) known from a single immense jaw and believed to be related to the ostriches though in some respects the jaw resembles that of a toothless dinosaur

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from caen- + agnath- (from a- a- entry 2 + Greek gnathos jaw) + -iformes

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

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