acantho- combining form [ǝ'kanƟǝʊ] of Greek akantha: see next, -O-.

■ acantho'cephalan adjective & noun [Greek kephalē head] Zoology (designating) a parasitic worm of the phylum Acanthocephala, with a thornlike proboscis for attachment to the gut of vertebrates L19.

■ acan'thodian adjective & noun (designating or pertaining to) a small spiny-finned fossil fish belonging to the subclass Acanthodii, found esp. in Devonian rocks M19.

■ a,canthopte'rygian adjective & noun [Greek pterugion fin, dim. of pterux wing] Zoology (designating) a spiny-finned fish belonging to the superorder Acanthopterygii M19.

■ acan'thosis noun (Medicine) abnormal thickening of the prickle-layer of the skin L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲