heterocercal

adjective

het·​ero·​cer·​cal ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈsər-kəl How to pronounce heterocercal (audio)
1
of a fish tail fin : having the upper lobe larger than the lower with the vertebral column extending into the upper lobe
2
: having or relating to a heterocercal tail fin

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of heterocercal was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near heterocercal

Cite this Entry

“Heterocercal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterocercal. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!