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Glite Dictionary
anaspid

anaspid

9.9
A small extinct freshwater fish without jaws that lived long ago and had a bony head
  • noun
  • /ˈænəˌspɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : anaspido
  • Paleontologists study anaspids to understand the evolution of jawless vertebrates.

Examples

  • The fossilized remains of an anaspid were discovered in ancient Devonian rocks.

  • The unique tail structure of an anaspid distinguishes it from other early fish.

  • The anaspid swam in ancient freshwater lakes.

  • Some fossils of anaspids have been discovered in Scotland.

  • Paleontologists study anaspids to understand the evolution of jawless vertebrates.

  • The fossilized remains of an anaspid were discovered in ancient Devonian rocks.

  • The unique tail structure of an anaspid distinguishes it from other early fish.

Synonyms

Anaspida
vsanaspid
  • Specialized
9.9

An extinct group of jawless fish with no bony plates that lived long ago

has an armored head with external bony plates

Surface Forms

anaspid singular
anaspids plural

Morphology

anaspid = an + aspid

Although analysable into the combining form 'an-' + 'aspid', these elements are specialist/ancient combining forms not familiar or productive for average learners, so the meaning is not derivable from common English bases.

Etymology

Anaspid comes from Greek parts an- 'without' and aspid from aspis 'shield', so it means a 'fish without a shield'. That name fits because these extinct, small freshwater jawless fishes lacked the heavy head armor of other early fish.