Crossword Genius

A pretty cold outlook for the old flier (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pterodactyl

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the old flier' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'a pretty cold outlook' is the wordplay.
'a pretty cold' can be anagrammed to 'PTERODACTYL'.
But, I am unsure how this is indicated.

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pterodactyl that I've seen before include "Flying dinosaur" , "Fossil flyer" , "Extinct flying reptile - protect lady (anag)" , "Winged reptile of old" , "Late Jurassic flyer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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