‖prop. n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. malako`s soft + pte`ryx wing, fin, fr. ptero`n feather. ] (Zool.) An order of fishes in which the fin rays, except the anterior ray of the pectoral and dorsal fins, are closely jointed, and not spiny. It includes the carp, pike, salmon, shad, etc. Called also Malacopteri. [ 1913 Webster ]