elasmobranch

/əˌlæzməˈbræŋk/
IPA guide

Other forms: elasmobranchs

Definitions of elasmobranch
  1. noun
    any of numerous fishes of the class Chondrichthyes characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton and placoid scales: sharks; rays; skates
    synonyms: selachian
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 21 types...
    hide 21 types...
    shark
    any of numerous elongate mostly marine carnivorous fishes with heterocercal caudal fins and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales
    ray
    cartilaginous fishes having horizontally flattened bodies and enlarged winglike pectoral fins with gills on the underside; most swim by moving the pectoral fins
    Hexanchus griseus, cow shark, six-gilled shark
    large primitive shark widely distributed in warm seas
    mackerel shark
    fierce pelagic and oceanic sharks
    Alopius vulpinus, fox shark, thrasher, thresher, thresher shark
    large pelagic shark of warm seas with a whiplike tail used to round up small fish on which to feed
    Orectolobus barbatus, carpet shark
    shark of the western Pacific with flattened body and mottled skin
    Ginglymostoma cirratum, nurse shark
    small bottom-dwelling shark of warm shallow waters on both coasts of North America and South America and from southeast Asia to Australia
    Carcharias taurus, Odontaspis taurus, sand shark, sand tiger
    shallow-water shark with sharp jagged teeth found on both sides of Atlantic; sometimes dangerous to swimmers
    Rhincodon typus, whale shark
    large spotted shark of warm surface waters worldwide; resembles a whale and feeds chiefly on plankton
    cat shark
    small bottom-dwelling sharks with cat-like eyes; found along continental slopes
    requiem shark
    any of numerous sharks from small relatively harmless bottom-dwellers to large dangerous oceanic and coastal species
    dogfish
    any of several small sharks
    hammerhead, hammerhead shark
    medium-sized live-bearing shark with eyes at either end of a flattened hammer-shaped head; worldwide in warm waters; can be dangerous
    Squatina squatina, angel shark, angelfish, monkfish
    sharks with broad flat bodies and winglike pectoral fins but that swim the way sharks do
    crampfish, electric ray, numbfish, torpedo
    any sluggish bottom-dwelling ray of the order Torpediniformes having a rounded body and electric organs on each side of the head capable of emitting strong electric discharges
    sawfish
    primitive ray with sharp teeth on each edge of a long flattened snout
    guitarfish
    primitive tropical bottom-dwelling ray with a guitar-shaped body
    stingray
    large venomous ray with large barbed spines near the base of a thin whiplike tail capable of inflicting severe wounds
    eagle ray
    powerful free-swimming tropical ray noted for `soaring' by flapping winglike fins; usually harmless but has venomous tissue near base of the tail as in stingrays
    devilfish, manta, manta ray
    extremely large pelagic tropical ray that feeds on plankton and small fishes; usually harmless but its size make it dangerous if harpooned
    skate
    large edible rays having a long snout and thick tail with pectoral fins continuous with the head; swim by undulating the edges of the pectoral fins
    type of:
    cartilaginous fish, chondrichthian
    fishes in which the skeleton may be calcified but not ossified
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘elasmobranch'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of gold-punch.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family