homocercal

[hoh-muh-sur-kuh l, hom-uh-]

adjective Ichthyology.

having an equally divided tail, characteristic of adult modern bony fishes.

Compare diphycercal, heterocercal.

Origin of homocercal

1830–40; homo- + cerc- (< Greek kérkos tail) + -al¹

Related formsho·mo·cer·cy

[hoh-muh-sur-see, hom-uh-] /ˈhoʊ məˌsɜr si, ˈhɒm ə-/, ho·mo·cer·cal·i·ty

[hoh-muh-ser-kal-i-tee, hom-uh-] /ˌhoʊ mə sərˈkæl ɪ ti, ˌhɒm ə-/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for homocercal

homocercal

adjective

ichthyol of or possessing a symmetrical tail that extends beyond the end of the vertebral column, as in most bony fishesCompare heterocercal

Word Origin for homocercal

C19: from homo- + Greek kerkos tail

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