anaspid

American  

[uh-nas-pid] / əˈnæs pɪd /

noun

Paleontology.

1. any member of an extinct order, Anaspida, of small, freshwater jawless fishes of the Silurian and Devonian periods, characterized by a single nostril, narrow rows of scales, and, usually, an armor-plated head.

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Etymology

Origin of anaspid

< New Latin Anaspida name of the order, equivalent to an- an- ³ + Greek aspid- (stem of aspís shield) + -a neuter plural noun ending