Dromaeosauridae is a
family of feathered
theropod dinosaurs. They were small- to medium-sized feathered
carnivores that flourished in the
Cretaceous Period. The name Dromaeosauridae means 'running lizards', from
Greek dromeus (
δρομευς) meaning 'runner' and
sauros (
σαυρος) meaning 'lizard'. In informal usage they are often called
raptors (after
Velociraptor), a term popularized by the film
Jurassic Park; a few types include the term "raptor" directly in their name and have come to emphasize their supposed bird-like habits.