Acanthopterygian
/ˌækænˌθɒpˈtɛrɪdʒiən/noun
A fish belonging to a large group characterized by spiny rays in the dorsal, anal, or other fins.
Did you know?Its roots are pure Greek: akantha meant a thorn or spine, and pterygion meant a little wing or fin, so the name literally describes a fish built like it’s armed.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
akantha
“thorn, spine”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pteryx / pterygion
“wing, fin”
19th Century
English
acanthopterygian
“a fish with spiny fins”
Modern English
English
acanthopterygian
“a fish belonging to a group with spiny-rayed fins”
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