acanthopterous,a.|ækænˈθɒptərəs| [f.Gr. ἀκανθο- thorn + πτερ-όν wing + -ous.] prop. Spiny-winged, as the Cassowary; but used also as spiny-finned = acanthopterygious. 1870Rolleston An. Life 42 The perch, and indeed the entire Acanthopterous order to which it belongs.