Lexic.us

Definition of Tuatara

1. Noun. Only extant member of the order Rhynchocephalia of large spiny lizard-like diapsid reptiles of coastal islands off New Zealand.

Definition of Tuatara

1. n. A large iguanalike reptile (Sphenodon punctatum) formerly common in New Zealand, but now confined to certain islets near the coast. It reaches a length of two and a half feet, is dark olive-green with small white or yellowish specks on the sides, and has yellow spines along the back, except on the neck.

Definition of Tuatara

1. Noun. Either of two reptiles, ''Sphenodon punctatus'' or ''Sphenodon guntheri'', native to New Zealand, that resemble lizards. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Tuatara

1. a large reptile [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Tuatara

Literary usage of Tuatara

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Journal of the Polynesian Society by Polynesian Society (N.Z.) (1911)
"Now I will say, yes, it is true, the tuatara was eaten; and as for the ... dwelling place of the tuatara, which are found in the holes amongst the rocks. ..."

2. New Zealand: Past and Present by James Buller (1880)
"Samuel Marsden—tuatara—Boyd—Active—Messrs. Hall and Kendall—Flour mill—Marsden's first visit—Purchase of land— Samuel Leigh—Butler—Wesley Dale—Mr. ..."

3. The English Illustrated Magazine (1897)
"In dissecting the head of a tuatara Baldwin Spencer solved the enigma. ... At an early stage of the development of the tuatara, the pineal eye is a ..."

4. New Zealand Driving Holidays: 29 New Zealand Holiday Itineraries and Touring by Donna Blaber (2005)
"Lindsay Hazley. the world's leading tuatara expert, set up the display 15 years ago ... Around 40 tuatara are on display and Lindsay relates the history and ..."

5. Te Ika a Maui, Or, New Zealand and Its Inhabitants: Illustrating the Origin by Richard Taylor (1870)
"tuatara.—E kore au e pau; tuku aku tara, rarau aku pe- ke, mataku te tangata, ... tuatara. — I shall not be destroyed ; I will set up my spines, ..."

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