dinosaur meaning

Noun: dinosaur  'dInu`sor

1. Any of numerous extinct terrestrial reptiles of the Mesozoic era

Derived forms: dinosaurs

Type of: archosaur, archosaurian, archosaurian reptile

Encyclopedia: Dinosaur Dinosaur, CO Dinosaur, Colorado

[Medicine]
General name for two extinct orders of reptiles from the Mesozoic era: Saurischia and Ornithischia.

[Computer]
1. Any hardware requiring raised flooring and special power. Used especially of old minicomputers and mainframes, in contrast with newer microprocessor-based machines.

In a famous quote from the 1988 Unix EXPO, Bill Joy compared the liquid-cooled mainframe in the massive IBM display with a grazing dinosaur "with a truck outside pumping its bodily fluids through it". IBM was not amused.

Compare big iron; see also dinosaurs mating.

2. A very conservative user; a zipperhead.

Examples

More:   Next

1. new evidence supports the traditional idea that dinosaurs were cold-blooded.
2. baker concluded the dinosaurs were warm-blooded because they ate so much.
3. the dinosaurs and numerous other reptiles which had previously been dominant were extinct.
4. we know a great deal about those fascinating prehistoric animals, the dinosaurs.
5. with the changes in the world 's climate, dinosaurs died but many smaller animals lived on. it was survival of the fittest.