spiny ray
noun
: a fin ray that is stiff, unbranched, pointed at the end, and lacking transverse segmentation, that occurs singly or grouped in the anterior part of the dorsal fin in many fishes or in the first dorsal when there are two as well as in the anal and ventral fins, and that was in former classifications the principal character of the group Acanthopterygii
—opposed to soft ray
Dictionary Entries Near spiny ray
Cite this Entry
“Spiny ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiny%20ray. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share