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Webster 1913 Edition
Plectognathi
‖
Plec-to′gna-thi
,Noun.
pl.
[NL., from Gr. [GREEK] twisted (fr. [GREEK] to plait, twist) + [GREEK] jaw.]
(Zool.)
An order of fishes generally having the maxillary bone united with the premaxillary, and the articular united with the dentary.
☞ The upper jaw is immovably joined to the skull; the ventral fins are rudimentary or wanting; and the body is covered with bony plates, spines, or small rough ossicles, like shagreen. The order includes the diodons, filefishes, globefishes, and trunkfishes.