ichthyopterygian

ichthyopterygian, a. and n. Palæont.

(ˌɪkθɪəʊptəˈrɪdʒɪən)

[f. Gr. ἰχθυο- (see ichthyo-) + πτέρυξ, πτερυγ- wing, πτερύγι-ον wing, fin + -an.]

a. adj. Belonging to the Ichthyopterygia, an order of extinct marine reptiles in Owen's classification (1860, Palæont. 198–9), so named from the paddle- or fin-like character of the digits of the fore and hind limbs, the type of which is the ichthyosaurus; ichthyosaurian. b. n. A reptile of this order; an ichthyosaurian.