a. [a. Fr. branchiostège, f. BRANCHIO- + Gr. στέγ-ειν to cover.] Covering the gills (= BRANCHIOSTEGAL).

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  Hence Branchiostegite. [App. after Gr. στεγίτης, erroneously taken as an agential sb. from στέγειν.] The membrane covering the gills. Also Branchiostegous a. a. Having gill-covers; b. = BRANCHIOSTEGAL.

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1748–52.  Sir J. Hill, Hist. Anim., 220 (Jod.). The branchiostege membrane contains ten, eleven, or twelve bones.

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1769.  Pennant, Zool., III. 164. The number of its branchiostegous rays are seven.

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1774.  Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1862), II. III. i. 294. The cartilaginous, or … branchiostegous tribe of fishes.

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1880.  Huxley, Cray-Fish, 25. This flap … is called the Branchiostegite because it covers the gills or branchiae.

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