ganoid

1 of 2

adjective

gan·​oid ˈga-ˌnȯid 

: of, having, or being fish scales consisting of bone and an outer shiny layer resembling enamel

also : relating to or being fish with ganoid scales

ganoid

2 of 2

noun

: a fish (such as a sturgeon or gar) with ganoid scales

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

after French Ganoïdes, order name (latinized as Ganoidei), from Greek gános "brightness, sheen, gladness, joy," (abstract noun derivative from gánymai, ganýnai "to brighten up, be glad," going back to Indo-European *gh₂-n-u- derivative of *geh₂u̯- "be glad") + -oïdes, plural of -oïde -oid entry 1

Note: Indo-European *geh₂u̯- "be glad" may also be the base of Latin gaudēre "to be glad" (see joy entry 1). The order name Ganoïdes was introduced by the elder Louis agassiz for fish with such scales in Recherches sur les poissons fossiles (Neuchatel, 1833-43).

Noun

after French Ganoïdes or New Latin Ganoidei, order names — more at ganoid entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1847, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1839, in the meaning defined above