Defn: An order of fishes having some of the rays of the dorsal, ventral, and anal fins unarticulated and spinelike, as the perch.
ACANTHOPTERYGIOUS
Ac`an*thop`ter*yg"i*ous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having fins in which the rays are hard and spinelike; spiny- finned.
ACANTHUS
A*can"thus, n.; pl. E. Acanthuses, L. Acanthi. Etym: [L., from Gr.
Acantha.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the south of
Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear's-breech.
2. (Arch.)
Defn: An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the acanthus
(Acanthus spinosus); — used in the capitals of the Corinthian and
Composite orders.
A CAPPELLA A cap*pel"la. Etym: [It. See Chapel.] (Mus.) (a) In church or chapel style; — said of compositions sung in the old church style, without instrumental accompaniment; as, a mass a capella, i. e., a mass purely vocal. (b) A time indication, equivalent to alla breve.
ACAPSULAR
A*cap"su*lar, a. Etym: [Pref. a- not + capsular.] (Bot.)