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Glite Dictionary
agnathan

agnathan

9.9
A fish-like animal with a backbone and no jaws or paired fins, like lampreys
  • noun
  • /ˈæɡnəθən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : agnatano
  • The agnathan is an ancient fish that lacks jaws and paired fins.

Examples

  • Unlike other fish, the agnathan feeds by suction, using its round mouth.

  • However, this reproductive mode is exhibited by some species of all vertebrate classes except the jawless fishes (agnathans) and the birds.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Researchers are studying the agnathan to understand its unique evolutionary traits.

Synonyms

jawless vertebrate
vsagnathan
  • Specialized
9.7

A long eel-like fish without jaws or paired fins

is the scientific name used for that identical animal
Agnatha
vsagnathan
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of eel-shaped animals without jaws, like lampreys and hagfish

refers to the individual eel-shaped animal rather than the whole taxonomic group
jawless fish
vsagnathan
  • Specialized
7.0

Fish like lampreys and hagfish that do not have jaws or paired fins

is broader, including animals without jaws beyond only true fishes

Surface Forms

agnathan singular
agnathans plural

Morphology

agnathan = a + gnath + an

Although the negative prefix 'a-' is recognizable, the core 'gnath' is a Greek combining form (not a common English word), so learners cannot derive the meaning from familiar English bases.

Etymology

Agnathan comes from Greek parts a- 'without' and gnath 'jaw'. So an agnathan is a jawless, eel-like animal with a backbone, such as lampreys and hagfish.