malacopterygian

[ mal-uh-kop-tuh-rij-ee-uhn ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Malacopterygii (Malacopteri), a group of soft-finned, teleost fishes.

malacopterygian

/ ˌmæləˌkɒptəˈrɪdʒɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Malacopterygii, a group of teleost fishes, including herrings and salmon, having soft fin rays

noun

1. any malacopterygian fish; a soft-finned fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of malacopterygian¹

1825–35; < New Latin Malacopterygi ( i ) ( malaco- malaco- + -pterygii, plural of -pterygius finned, winged, adj. derivative of Greek pterýgion, diminutive of ptéryx wing, fin) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of malacopterygian¹

C19: from New Latin Malacopterygii, from malaco- + Greek pterux wing, fin

Example Sentences

A little Malacopterygian fish about 4 in. long has recently been discovered in West Africa which has the habits of a fresh-water flying-fish.

From Project Gutenberg

Cause of the Yukon's blackness: it is stuffed, crammed, jammed with malacopterygian teleosteans.

From Time Magazine Archive