ganoid

American  

[gan-oid] / ˈgæn ɔɪd /

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.

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noun

1. a ganoid fish.

ganoid British  

/ 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

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noun

1. a ganoid fish

Other Word Forms

• subganoid adjective

Etymology

Origin of ganoid

1830–40; < French ganoïde < Greek gán ( os ) brightness + -oïde -oid

Example Sentences

Osteol′epis, a genus of fossil ganoid fishes peculiar to the Old Red Sandstone, so called from the bony appearance of their scales; Osteol′oger, Osteol′ogist, one versed in osteology.—adjs.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Dura Den, a glen near Cupar-Fife, famous for the number of ganoid fossil fishes entombed in its sandstone.

From The Nuttall Encyclopædia Being a Concise and Comprehensive Dictionary of General Knowledge by Nuttall, P. Austin

The Asterolepis was a ganoid fish of gigantic dimensions.

From The Student's Elements of Geology by Lyell, Charles, Sir

There are seven living kinds of ganoid fish and all are found in fresh water.

From Fast Nine or, A Challenge from Fairfield by Douglas, Alan

Pterichthys, ter-ik′this, n. a genus of fossil ganoid fishes in the Old Red Sandstone strata, with wing-like pectoral fins.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various