anaspid

[ uh-nas-pid ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anaspid¹

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