ganoid

[gan-oid]

adjective

1. of or relating to the Ganoidei, a group of mostly extinct fishes characterized by hard, bony scales, the living species of which include the paddlefishes, sturgeons, and gars.

2. (of the scale of a fish) having a smooth, shiny surface of ganoin or a similar substance.

noun

1. a ganoid fish.

ganoid

/ ˈɡænɔɪd /

adjective

1. (of the scales of certain fishes) consisting of an inner bony layer and an outer layer of an enamel-like substance (ganoin)

2. denoting fishes, including the sturgeon and bowfin, having such scales

noun

1. a ganoid fish

Other Word Forms

• subganoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ganoid¹

1830–40; < French ganoïde < Greek gán ( os ) brightness + -oïde -oid

Word History and Origins

Origin of ganoid¹

C19: from French ganoïde, from Greek ganos brightness + _-oid

Example Sentences

A genus of ganoid fishes, including the sturgeons, having the body armed with bony scales, and the mouth on the under side of the head.

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An order of ganoid fishes of which the bichir of Africa is a living example.

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E. of Cupar, have been found great quantities of fossils of ganoid fishes.

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They differ from the ganoid fishes by having soft scales and a complete bony skeleton.

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Diplacan�thus, a genus of ganoid fishes, found only in the Old Red Sandstone.

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