acanthopterygian

US/ˌæk.ænˌθɑp.təˈɹɪd͡ʒ.i.n̩/

noun

Any fish of the superorder Acanthopterygii.

Similar
spiny-finned fish
OriginAncient Greek ἄκανθος →
First used First attested in the mid 19th century.Scrabble 27
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Meanings

nounacanthopterygian (plural acanthopterygians)

plural acanthopterygians · alternative acanthopteran

  1. biologyAny fish of the superorder Acanthopterygii.First known use First attested in the mid 19th century.
adjectiveacanthopterygian (not comparable)

alternative acanthopteran

  1. not comparablebiologySimilar to an acanthopterygian.First known use First attested in the mid 19th century.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna teleost fish with fins that are supported by sharp inflexible rays

Similar
spiny-finned fish
Broader
teleost fishteleostteleostan

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekπτερύγιον
  2. Ancient Greekἄκανθος
  3. Englishacanthopterygian

From New Latin, from acanthus (“thorn”), (from Ancient Greek ἄκανθος (ákanthos)) + Ancient Greek πτερύγιον (pterúgion) diminutive of πτέρυξ (ptérux, “wing, fin”), from πτερόν (pterón, “feather, wing”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French acanthoptérygien
  • acanthoptérygienany fish of the superorder Acanthopterygii
Portuguese acantopterígio
  • acantopterígioany fish of the superorder Acanthopterygii

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with acanthopterygian

stygian
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

acanthopterygian. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/acanthopterygian

MLA

“acanthopterygian.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/acanthopterygian. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “acanthopterygian,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/acanthopterygian.

Source: acanthopterygian on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.