any of numerous carnivorous birds that hunt and kill other animals
"The sky darkened as a massive raptor swooped down to snatch its prey from the field."
A bird of prey.
"The paleontologist carefully brushed away sediment to reveal the sharp, sickle-shaped claw of a raptor that had once walked across this ancient forest floor."
One of the dromaeosaurs, a family of carnivorous dinosaurs having tearing claws on the hind legs.
The word comes from the Middle English term raptour, which was borrowed from the Latin word raptor. In its original Latin sense, it meant a kidnapper or thief.