anaspid
|a-nas-pid|
/əˈnæspɪd/
jawless, shieldless prehistoric fish
Etymology
'anaspid' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Anaspida,' where 'an-' meant 'without' and 'aspis' meant 'shield.'
'Anaspida' was adopted into scientific English as 'anaspid' to refer to members of this extinct order of jawless fish.
Initially, it meant 'without shield,' referring to the lack of heavy armor in these fish, and now it specifically refers to the extinct order of jawless fish known as Anaspida.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
any member of the extinct order Anaspida, a group of jawless prehistoric fish known for their streamlined bodies and lack of heavy armor.
Fossils of anaspids have been found in Silurian and Devonian rocks.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/30 22:21