pterodactyl/ˌtɛɹ.əˈdæk.təl/EtymologyFrom French ptérodactyle, a term coined by Cuvier from Ancient Greek πτερόν (pterón, “wing”) + δάκτυλος (dáktulos, “finger”). By surface analysis, ptero- + -dactyl.pterodactyl means A pterosaur of the genus Pterodactylus. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 73 out of 100.nounA pterosaur of the genus Pterodactylus.Any pterosaur.“He described also the iguanodon and the pterodactyl - two of the first of the wonders which they had encountered.”