Is the P silent in pterodactyl?
These words share the Greek root πτέρυξ (pteryx), meaning feather/wing, but the P in pterodactyl is silent (in the initial position), while the P in archeopteryx (in the middle of the word) is voiced.
How do you say the word pterodactyl?
The word pterodactyl, pronounced “tear-uh-DACK-til,” refers to a now-extinct group of winged reptiles known as pterosaurs.
Do you pronounce the P in Pteranodon?
Pterosaurs, pteranodons and pterodactyls were flying reptiles. “Ptero” is Greek for “wing” or “winglike.” Our alphabet is based on the Greek alphabet, but we adapted certain sounds to be more like those we were familiar with. So English speakers took out the “p” sound.