Defn: One of an extinct order of reptiles, including Mosasaurus and allied genera. See Mosasauria.
MOSASAURIA
Mos`a*sau"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Mosasaurus.] (Paleon.)
Defn: An order of large, extinct, marine reptiles, found in the Cretaceous rocks, especially in America. They were serpentlike in form and in having loosely articulated and dilatable jaws, with large recurved tteth, but they had paddlelike feet. Some of them were over fifty feet long. They are, essentially, fossil sea serpents with paddles. Called also Pythonomarpha, and Mosasauria.
MOSASAURUS
Mos`a*sau"rus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. Mosa the River Meuse (on which
Meastricht is situated) + Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A genus of extinct marine reptiles allied to the lizards, but having the body much elongated, and the limbs in the form of paddles. The first known species, nearly fifty feet in length, was discovered in Cretaceous beds near Maestricht, in the Netherlands. [Written also Mososaurus.]
MOSCHATEL
Mos"cha*tel`, n. Etym: [Gr. moscatelline. See Muscadel, Musk.] (Bot.)
Defn: A plant of the genus Adoxa (A. moschatellina), the flowers of which are pale green, and have a faint musky smell. It is found in woods in all parts of Europe, and is called also hollow root and musk crowfoot. Loudon.
MOSCHINE
Mos"chine, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Moschus, a genus including the musk deer.
MOSEL
Mos"el, n. & v.