Plec*to"gna*thi (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. twisted (fr. to plait, twist) + jaw.] Zool.
An order of fishes generally having the maxillary bone united with the premaxillary, and the articular united with the dentary.
⇒ The upper jaw is immovably joined to the skull; the ventral fins are rudimentary or wanting; and the body is covered with bony plates, spines, or small rough ossicles, like shagreen. The order includes the diodons, filefishes, globefishes, and trunkfishes.
© Webster 1913.