acanthopterygian

[ ak-uh n-thop-tuh-rij-ee-uh n ]
/ ˌæk ənˌθɒp təˈrɪdʒ i ən /

adjective

belonging or pertaining to the Acanthopterygii (Acanthopteri), the group of spiny-finned fishes, including the bass and perch.

noun

an acanthopterygian fish.

Origin of acanthopterygian

1825–35; < New Latin Acanthopterygi(i) (acantho- acantho- + Greek pterýgi(on) small wing, fin + Latin -ī masculine plural ending) + -an

Words nearby acanthopterygian

acanthodian, acanthoid, acanthology, acantholysis, acanthoma, acanthopterygian, acanthorrhexis, acanthosis, acanthosis nigricans, acanthous, acanthrocyte
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for acanthopterygian

British Dictionary definitions for acanthopterygian

acanthopterygian
/ (ˌækənˌθɒptəˈrɪdʒɪən) /

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the Acanthopterygii, a large group of teleost fishes having spiny fin rays. The group includes most saltwater bony fishes

noun

any fish belonging to the Acanthopterygii
Compare malacopterygian

Word Origin for acanthopterygian

C19: from New Latin Acanthopterygii, from acantho- + Greek pterúgion fin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for acanthopterygian

acanthopterygian
[ ăk′ən-thŏp′tə-rĭj′ē-ən ]

Any of a large group of teleost fishes of the superorder Acanthopterygii, having spiny rays in the dorsal and anal fins and including the bass, perch, mackerel, and swordfish.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.