lacertilian

[ las-er-til-ee-uhn, -til-yuhn ]

/ ˌlæs ərˈtɪl i ən, -ˈtɪl yən /

Save This Word!

adjective

belonging or pertaining to the reptilian suborder Lacertilia, comprising the lizards.

noun

a lacertilian reptile.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also la·cer·tian

[luh-sur-shuhn]. /ləˈsɜr ʃən/.

Origin of lacertilian

1850–55; <New Latin Lacertili(a) (Latin Lacert(a) Lacerta + -ilia, neuter plural of -ilis-ile) + -an

Words nearby lacertilian

lacerate, lacerated, laceration, Lacerta, lacertid, lacertilian, lace stay, lace-up, lacewing, lacewood, lacework

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lacertilian in a sentence

Certain footprints in the coal measures of Kansas have been supposed to belong to lacertilian or dinosaurian forms.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 3|Various
In other words, the body, hind legs, and tail are lacertilian in character.
Evolution in Art|Alfred C. Haddon
Lizard, liz′ard, n. a family of four-footed scaly reptiles, a saurian or lacertilian.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for lacertilian

lacertilian

/ (ˌlæsəˈtɪlɪən) /

noun Also: lacertian (ləˈsɜːʃən)

any reptile of the suborder Lacertilia (lizards)

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the Lacertilia

Word Origin for lacertilian

C19: New Latin, from Latin lacerta lizard

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for lacertilian

lacertilian

[ lăs′ər-tĭl′ē-ən ]

Relating to or characteristic of lizards and closely related reptiles.