Dino

/ˈdiːnoʊ/ noun

Definition

Informal short form for dinosaur; an extinct prehistoric reptile.

Etymology

Short form of 'dinosaur,' which comes from Greek 'deinos' (terrible) + 'sauros' (lizard); 'dino' became popular as a casual nickname in English in the mid-1900s.

Kelly Says

Kids call them 'dinos' because dinosaurs are awesome, and this abbreviation shows how children's language often simplifies big scientific words—but ironically, 'dinosaur' itself is already a Greek invention meaning 'terrible lizard' that scientists created.

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