acantho-, acanth-, -acanth, -acanths, -acanthid, -acanthous

In zoology, an extinct fish of the genus Acanthodes: The acanthodian was a little spiny-finned and jawed fossil that existed mainly in the Devonian period.

Resembling a spine, spine shaped; spinous: Thomas observed the porcupine with its acanthoid and spiny covering intended to protect it from prey.

A person who studies spiny creatures: Jim's father was an acanthologist who was a specialist in sea urchins and worms with spiny-heads and classified them into taxonomic groups.

The study of spiny organisms: Acanthology deals particularly with sea urchins and certain spiny-headed worms, and with their structures and functions.

A deterioration or breakdown of a cell in the outer layer of skin: Acantholysis is a disease of the skin causing disorders as bullae, which are large thin-walled blisters, occurring in a mucous membrane or in normal skin.

A skin neoplasm: An acanthoma consists of epidermal cells in the prickle cell layer of the skin.

Among the different kinds of acanthomas are the pilar sheath acanthoma, a benign tumor usually located in the legs, and Degos acanthoma, totally unrelated to such Degos illnesses.

Regarding something bearing, or having, spines: Barbara wondered if the new plant she potted was going to be acanthophorous and thorny, meaning that she would need to put on her gloves to trim it later on.

Descriptive of a creature with spiny feet: Jenny was surprised to learn about an acanthopod beetle with thorny or barbed flat feet.

In botany, relating to or designating a spiny, prickly peduncle or petiole of a plant: The acanthopodous sunflower in Mary's garden consisted of a somewhat prickly stalk with one huge yellow flower.

1. A tubelike spine that existed in a few fossil bryozoaris: In her book about petrified remains, Jill was amazed that some acanthopores of invertebrate animals in the phyla Entoprocia and Ectoprocta had tubular spines or thorns.
2. One of a group of outlets or holes in a nonexistent coral of the family Chætitidæ: Acanthopores of the extinct corals appeared on the surface in little tubercles.

In zoology, a cluster of teleostean fish: The photo of an Acanthopteri in Grace's book depicted the group of fish with spiny fins.

In zoology, regarding a spiny-winged animal: The flightless and small-winged cassowary, a native bird to Australia and New Guinea, is considered to be acanthopterous with stiff, keratinous quill feathers on its wings, which are like porcupine quills. It has a bony crest on its head, and can be quite dangerous.

Any of a large group of fishes with bony skeletons and hard, spiny rays in the dorsal and anal fins: The sunfish, perch, bass, porgy, mackeral, and swordfish all belong to the acanthopterygians.

The mature embryo of an intestinal worm: The acanthor, which has beaklike hooks and spines on its body, digs into the body cavity of its first transitional or intermediate host, which is normally an aquatic crustacean or an insect.

A disease of the prickle cells in the skin: Acanthosis is abnormal, benign, and appears thickened with a gray, brown, or black pigmentation, as in eczema and psoriasis.