diphycercal

[ dif-uh-sur-kuhl ]

adjective

, Ichthyology.

1. having a tail or caudal fin with the spinal column extending horizontally to the end of the tail, characteristic of lungfish, several other primitive fishes, and the juvenile stage of modern bony fishes.

diphycercal

/ ˌdɪfɪˈsɜːkəl /

adjective

1. ichthyol of or possessing a symmetrical or pointed tail with the vertebral column extending to the tip, as in primitive fishes

Word History and Origins

Origin of diphycercal¹

diphy- double ( diphyodont ) + Greek kérk(os) a tail + -al ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of diphycercal¹

C19: from Greek diphuēs twofold (from di ¹+ phuē growth) + kerkos tail