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 Words From

• sub·ganoid 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 freshÐwater ganoid fishes, exclusively confined to North America; called bowfin in Lake Champlain, dogfish in Lake Erie, and mudfish in South Carolina, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg