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Elasmobranch - 5 dictionary results

e⋅las⋅mo⋅branch

[i-las-muh-brangk, i-laz-]
–adjective
1. belonging or pertaining to the Elasmobranchii, the subclass of cartilaginous fishes comprising the sharks and rays.
–noun
2. an elasmobranch fish.

Origin:
1870–75; < NL Elasmobranchii, equiv. to Gk elasm(ós) beaten metal (deriv. of elaúnein; see elastic ) + -o- -o- + -branchii, pl. of -branchius, NL coinage based on Gk bránchia branchia
e·las·mo·branch   (ĭ-lāz'mə-brāngk')   
n.  Any of numerous fishes of the class Chondrichthyes, characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton and placoid scales and including the sharks, rays, and skates.
adj.  Of or belonging to the class Chondrichthyes.

[From New Latin Elasmobranchiī, former subclass name : Greek elasmos, metal beaten out (from elaunein, elas-, to beat) + Latin branchia, gill; see branchia.]

Elasmobranch

E*las"mo*branch\, a. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to the Elasmobranchii. -- n. One of the Elasmobranchii.

Main Entry: elas·mo·branch
Pronunciation: i-'laz-m&-"bra[ng]k
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -branchs
: any fishof the class Chondrichthyes —elasmobranch adjective
elasmobranch   (ĭ-lāz'mə-brāngk')  Pronunciation Key 
Any of numerous cartilaginous fishes of the subclass Elasmobranchii, having five to seven gill slits on each side, dermal denticles for scales, and a small respiratory opening (spiracle) behind each eye. The pectoral fins of elasmobranchs are often greatly enlarged. Elasmobranchs include the sharks, rays, and skates.
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