- R laevis
- Skate Skate, n. [Icel. skata; cf. Prov. G. schatten,
meer-schatten, L. squatus, squatina, and E. shad.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of large, flat elasmobranch
fishes of the genus {Raia}, having a long, slender tail,
terminated by a small caudal fin. The pectoral fins, which
are large and broad and united to the sides of the body and
head, give a somewhat rhombic form to these fishes. The skin
is more or less spinose.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Some of the species are used for food, as the European blue or gray skate ({Raia batis}), which sometimes weighs nearly 200 pounds. The American smooth, or barn-door, skate ({R. l[ae]vis}) is also a large species, often becoming three or four feet across. The common spiny skate ({R. erinacea}) is much smaller. [1913 Webster]
{Skate's egg}. See {Sea purse}.
{Skate sucker}, any marine leech of the genus {Pontobdella}, parasitic on skates. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.