Cycloidian

/ˌsaɪkləɪˈdiːən/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or characteristic of cycloid scales or fish with cycloid scales.

Etymology

From cycloidei (fish family) + -ian (adjective suffix). Formed in 19th-century ichthyology to describe properties of cycloid-scaled fish.

Kelly Says

The cycloidian scale design is nature's engineering marvel—the smooth, overlapping circular scales let water slide off with minimal friction, which is why fish with these scales are often the fastest swimmers in the ocean.

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