Acanthopterygii

Definitions

proper noun A taxonomic superorder within the subclass Teleostei — fishes having some of the rays of the dorsal, ventral, and anal fins unarticulated and spinelike, as the perch.

From New Latin, from Ancient Greek ἄκανθα (akantha, "spine") + πτερύγιον (pterugion, "wing, fin").

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It will be at once perceived how, with such resources of signification at command, compounds like _Acanthopterygii_ to signify

The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 5, May, 1864 Devoted To Literature And National Policy Various
Of any other simple series of Euphonic combinations, such as Phonetic art can readily construct, there is the same wasteful neglect, and, in consequence of this total failure of the scientific world to extract these treasures of Phonic wealth lying directly beneath their feet, they are driven to such desperate devices as that of naming the two best-known and most familiar order of fishes, those usually found on our breakfast tables, _Acanthopterygii

The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 5, May, 1864 Devoted To Literature And National Policy Various
Only think how stuck up they would be above the lowly mollusks of the same waters, if they knew themselves as Acanthopterygii, and were aware that their great-grandfather was an Acanthopteryx before them, and so away back in the age of waters that once were over all!

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 40, February, 1861 Various