Proavis

Any of various hypothetical extinct species or taxa that were coined in the early 20th century in an attempt to support and explain the hypothetical evolutionary steps and anatomical adaptations leading from non-avian theropod dinosaurs to birds.

Noun

  1. Any of various hypothetical extinct species or taxa that were coined in the early 20th century in an attempt to support and explain the hypothetical evolutionary steps and anatomical adaptations leading from non-avian theropod dinosaurs to birds.

Origin

From pro- (“prior”) + Latin avis (“bird”)

Forms

Proaves Pro-Avis

Related

†Archaeopteryx