‖ Sauria, n. pl. Zool.
(ˈsɔːrɪə)
[mod.L. (Brongniart 1799), f. Gr. σαύρ-α, σαῦρ-ος lizard. (Oppel used the masc. form Saurii.)]
An order of Reptiles, originally including the Lizards and Crocodiles; subsequently restricted to the Lizards alone. The term is now little used, being commonly replaced by Lacertilia.
| 1834 McMurtrie Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 169 The Sauria, or Lizards, whose heart has two auricles, and whose body, supported by four or two feet, is covered with scales. 1851 Mantell Petrifactions iii. §5. 261 And equally differ from the vertebræ of the Iguanæ, Monitors, and all existing Sauria. 1878 Bell tr. Gegenbauer's Comp. Anat. 420 In the Saurii the so-called ‘crural pores’ lead into glands, which look like compound tubes, and which secrete cells which harden and fill up the lumen of the glands. |