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Glite Dictionary
cephalaspid

cephalaspid

9.9
A jawless fossil fish from the Devonian with a hard shield on its head
  • noun
  • /ˌsɛfəˈlæspɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cefalaspido
  • The cephalaspid had a flattened body and a shield-like head for protection.

Examples

  • Scientists discovered a new cephalaspid fossil in the Devonian strata of eastern Europe.

  • Many fossils of cephalaspids have been discovered in North America.

  • Fossils of cephalaspid species provide valuable information about early vertebrate evolution.

  • The cephalaspid is an intriguing example of prehistoric marine life.

  • Fossils of cephalaspid species provide valuable information about early vertebrate evolution.

  • Scientists discovered a new cephalaspid fossil in the Devonian strata of eastern Europe.

  • The cephalaspid had a flattened body and a shield-like head for protection.

Synonyms

osteostracan
vscephalaspid
  • Specialized
9.9

An extinct jawless fish with a heavy armored head from the Devonian period

is one specific genus from that period with a heavily armored head
ostracoderm
vscephalaspid
  • Specialized
9.9

A fish without jaws that had heavy bony armor and lived long ago

is narrower naming a Devonian genus noted for head armor rather than whole body

Surface Forms

cephalaspid singular
cephalaspids plural

Morphology

cephalaspid = cephal + aspid

Formed from Greek combining forms ('cephal-' = head, '-aspid' = shield) used in technical taxonomic names; the parts are not productive or familiar to average B1 learners, so the meaning is not transparently inferable.

Etymology

Cephalaspid comes from Greek parts cephal- meaning 'head' and -aspid meaning 'shield', so it literally means 'head shield'. That's why the name fits an extinct jawless fish with a heavy, shield-like head for protection.