malacopterygian
/ˌmaləkɒptəˈrɪdʒ(ɪ)ən/Ichthyol. Now rare
adjective
Originally: belonging to the group Malacopterygii, comprising bony fishes having fins supported by soft (i.e. segmented and often branched) rays. Later: designating or relating to fishes having such fins.
- Although the Malacopterygii are no longer considered a distinct group by most ichthyologists, the possession of soft-rayed fins can still be considered a useful characteristic in the description of fishes..
noun
A malacopterygian fish.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in William Kirby (1759–1850), entomologist and naturalist. Probably from French malacoptérygien from malaco- + -ptérygien, after scientific Latin Malacopterygii.
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