elasmobranch

e·las·mo·branch

E0065300 (ĭ-lăz′mə-brăngk′)n. Any of various cartilaginous fishes of the subclass Elasmobranchii, having five to seven pairs of lateral gill slits and including the sharks, rays, and skates.

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[From New Latin Elasmobranchiī, subclass name : Greek elasmos, metal beaten out (from elaunein, elas-, to beat) + Latin branchia, gill; see branchia.]

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e·las′mo·branch′ adj.

elasmobranch

(ɪˈlæsməˌbræŋk; ɪˈlæz-) n (Animals) any cartilaginous fish of the subclass Elasmobranchii (or Selachii), which includes the sharks, rays, dogfish, and skatesadj (Animals) of, relating to, or belonging to the Elasmobranchii Also called: selachian [C19: from New Latin elasmobranchii, from Greek elasmos metal plate + brankhia gills]

e•las•mo•branch

(ɪˈlæs məˌbræŋk, ɪˈlæz-)

adj. 1. belonging or pertaining to the Elasmobranchii, the subclass of cartilaginous fishes comprising the sharks and rays. n. 2. an elasmobranch fish. [1870–75; < New Latin Elasmobranchii < Greek elasm(ós) beaten metal]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

elasmobranch - any of numerous fishes of the class Chondrichthyes characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton and placoid scales: sharks; rays; skatesselachiancartilaginous fish, chondrichthian - fishes in which the skeleton may be calcified but not ossifiedElasmobranchii, Selachii, subclass Elasmobranchii, subclass Selachii - sharks; rays; dogfishes; skatesshark - any of numerous elongate mostly marine carnivorous fishes with heterocercal caudal fins and tough skin covered with small toothlike scalesray - cartilaginous fishes having horizontally flattened bodies and enlarged winglike pectoral fins with gills on the underside; most swim by moving the pectoral fins