Theropoda
in palæontology, an order of Cope's sub-class Dinosauria, consisting of carnivorous forms, which are believed to have preyed on the weaker herbivorous members of the class. Feet digitigrade, digits with prehensile claws; vertebræ, more or less cavernous; fore limbs very small, limb bones hollow.
The order comprises four families (Megalosauridœ, Zanclodontide, Amphisauride, and Labrosauride) and two groups or sub-orders (Cœluria and Compsognatha).