See also: acanth
English
[edit]
The surgeonfish genus is named "Acanthurus", which means "thorn-tail", because species in this genus bear dangerously sharp spines on either side of the tail. In this picture the light mark alongside the dark stem of the tail shows where the spine is kept folded away like the blade of a penknife
This photograph shows the exposed spine of the surgeonfish species Acanthurus xanthopterus
Alternative forms
[edit]- acantho- (before a consonant)
Etymology
[edit]From international scientific vocabulary, reflecting a New Latin combining form, from New Latin, from Ancient Greek ἄκανθος (ákanthos, “thorn plant”), from ἄκανθα (ákantha, “thorn”).
Pronunciation
[edit]Prefix
[edit]acanth-
- Having thorns.