Holocephali

plural noun

Hol·​o·​ceph·​a·​li
¦hälō¦sefəˌlī,
¦hōl-
: a subclass of Chondrichthyes that is sometimes made a separate class, includes the recent chimaeras and certain chiefly extinct related fishes some of which date from Devonian time, and is distinguished by a cartilaginous skeleton, gill clefts covered by a fold of skin, high compressed head with small narrow mouth and the dentition reduced to broad flat plates, and a body tapering off into a long tail
holocephalous
¦⸗⸗¦sefələs
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from hol- + -cephali

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Dictionary Entries Near Holocephali

Cite this Entry

“Holocephali.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Holocephali. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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