n. Any of various cartilaginous fishes of the subclass Elasmobranchii, having five to seven pairs of lateral gill slits and including the sharks, rays, and skates. [From New Latin Elasmobranchiī, subclass name : Greek elasmos, metal beaten out (from elaunein, elas-, to beat) + Latin branchia, gill; see BRANCHIA.] e·lasmo·branch′ adj. |
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