raptor

Etymology 1

From Latin raptor (“thief”).

noun

  1. A bird of prey.
  2. (obsolete) One who ravishes or plunders.

Etymology 2

Popularized (and possibly coined) in 1990 by Michael Crichton in Jurassic Park; clipping of velociraptor, ultimately of the same etymology above.

noun

  1. (informal, paleontology) One of the dromaeosaurs, a family of carnivorous dinosaurs having tearing claws on the hind legs.

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