What is a dinosaur?

Question

What is the definition of one & why did we come up with that definition?

Edit 1
Dave P- no that never even crossed my mind. Have you heard people actually say that fossils are a test of faith?

Answer 1

extinct creature

Answer 2

"Under phylogenetic taxonomy, dinosaurs are defined as all descendants of the most recent common ancestor of Triceratops and modern birds. They are divided into Ornithischia (bird-hipped) and Saurischia (lizard-hipped), depending upon pelvic structure. Ornithischian dinosaurs had a four-pronged pelvic configuration, incorporating a caudally-directed (rear-pointing) pubis bone with (most commonly) a forward-pointing process. By contrast, the pelvic structure of saurischian dinosaurs was three-pronged, and featured a pubis bone directed cranially, or forwards, only. Ornithischia includes all taxa sharing a more recent common ancestor with Triceratops than with Saurischia, while Saurischia includes those taxa sharing a more recent common ancestor with birds than with Ornithischia. It has also been suggested that Dinosauria be defined as all the descendants of the most recent common ancestor of Megalosaurus and Iguanodon, because these were two of the three genera cited by Richard Owen when he recognized the Dinosauria." Wikipedia - dinosaur

As to why, because their fossils exist and bear similar characteristics not shared by other fossils.

If you are asking this (in Religion and Spirituality) because you believe that fossils are merely a test of faith and not the preserved remains of animals which existed millions of years ago, then your god is a perverse god and I pity you.

Answer 3

This is the name that we have given to all the "Old" People. The ones that are older than dirt. We call them "Dinosaurs" We came up with the name because every time you see one, there always saying " I'm dyin I'ma so sore" So that is why we call them "Dinosaurs".we also have been known to call them "Relics" or "antiques".....ok, so I'm over tired and shouldn't be trying to answer questions right now.....lol, have a good one.

Answer 4

The taxon Dinosauria was formally named by the English palaeontologist Richard Owen in 1842 as "a distinct tribe or suborder of Saurian reptiles".[1] The term is derived from the Greek words δεινός (deinos meaning "terrible", "fearsome" or "formidable") and σαύρα (saura meaning "lizard" or "reptile"). Owen chose it to express his awe at the size and majesty of the extinct animals, not out of fear or trepidation at their size and often-formidable arsenal of teeth and claws

Answer 5

a prhistoric creature. I nearly said large but not all were. but creatures that existed ( they believe) long before man.

Answer 6

i never thought i'd give "thumbs up" to jibba