nematognathadj.n.
/ˈnɛmətə(ʊ)naθ/, /ˌnɛməˈtɒɡnaθ/, /ˈniːmətə(ʊ)naθ/, /ˌniːməˈtɒɡnaθ/, U.S. /ˌniməˈtɑɡˌnæθ/, /ˌnɛməˈtɑɡˌnæθ/, /ˈnimədəˌnæθ/, /ˈnɛmədəˌnæθ/; see also nemato- comb. form. Ichthyology.† A. adj.
Belonging to the order Nematognathi (now called Siluriformes), comprising the catfishes (which have barbels on their jaws). Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
1887 Amer. Naturalist 21 451 This Realm [sc. the Cænozoic] is distinguished from the Cretacic..in North America by the following peculiarities. In Vertebrata:..By the presence of..Nematognath Fishes [etc.].
1895 Science 3 May 503/1 Therefore Torpedo must be used for the Nematognath fish.
B. n.
A fish of the order Nematognathi (now Siluriformes); a catfish. Now rare or disused.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > class Osteichthyes or Teleostomi > order Siluriformes (catfish) > [noun] > family Siluridae > member of (cat-fish)
sheath-fish1602
catfish1620
silure1802
roundhead1828
siluridan1835
silurian1842
sheat-fish1851
siluroid1851
nematognath1890
silurid1891
1890 Cent. Dict. Nematognath, a member of the Nematognathi; any catfish.
1895 Science 22 Nov. 679/1 This great group includes..the various families of Nematognaths.
1919 Sci. Monthly 8 87 Sometimes in the creeks we caught the beautiful little plated nematognaths. These rare creatures are unique among cat-fishes in possessing two rows of scales on each side of the body.
1951 Q. Rev. Biol. 26 265/2 Some of the works of historical interest are:..Pollard, 1892, nematognaths; and Kingsbury, 1895, amphibians and dipnoans.
Derivatives
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Nematognathous, same as nematognath.
1895 Science 22 Nov. 679/1 With this assumption it becomes necessary to postulate that all the numerous families of the Plectospondylous and Nematognathous orders are derivatives from primitive fresh-water types.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1887