A class of cartilaginous fish that includes sharks, rays, and skates, characterized by skeletons made entirely of cartilage rather than bone. These fish also possess placoid scales and multiple gill slits.
From Greek 'chondros' meaning 'cartilage' and 'ichthys' meaning 'fish,' literally 'cartilage fish.' The term was established in the 19th century classification system to distinguish these cartilaginous fish from their bony relatives.
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