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

But on Earth we have weather, and it happened a long, long time ago, back in the days of three-toed horses and ganoid fish.

From Long Ago, Far Away by Leinster, Murray

No teeth have been discovered; but the body was covered with small ganoid scales, and there was an unsymmetrical tail-fin.

From The Ancient Life History of the Earth A Comprehensive Outline of the Principles and Leading Facts of Palæontological Science by Nicholson, Henry Alleyne

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

The fishes exchanged their ganoid breast-plate for scales.

From Creative Evolution by Mitchell, Arthur

This preservation of ancient forms in islands appears to me like the preservation of ganoid fishes in our present freshwaters.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 1 by Darwin, Francis, Sir