diplodocus
UK[dɪˈplɒdəkəs]US[dɪˈplɑːdəkəs]
n
a very large herbivorous dinosaur of the late jurassic period, with a long neck and tail and a relatively small head.
Morpheme Breakdown
diplo
docus
diplo
double
docus
beam
Etymology
the name diplodocus was coined in 1878 by the american paleontologist othniel charles marsh. he derived it from the greek words for 'double' and 'beam', a direct reference to the unique double-beamed chevron bones found on the underside of the dinosaur's tail vertebrae. this anatomical feature, which provided structural support, was the literal inspiration for the name. thus, the term's journey is a modern scientific construction, using classical roots to create a descriptive label based on a distinctive physical characteristic, moving from the concrete image of a double beam to the abstract identity of a specific genus of sauropod.
Analysis
Structure: diplo (double) + docus (beam)
diplo is from greek διπλόος (diplóos), meaning 'double'. docus is a latinized form of greek δοκός (dokós), meaning 'beam' or 'bar'.
Examples
the diplodocus is one of the most easily recognizable dinosaurs due to its extremely long neck and tail.
fossils of the diplodocus were first discovered in the morrison formation of north america.
the museum's centerpiece is an impressive skeleton cast of a diplodocus.