| a. | 1. | (Zool.) Of or pertaining to the Sciænidæ, a family of carnivorous marine fishes which includes the meagre (Sciaena umbra or Sciaena aquila), and fish of the drum and croaker families. The croaker is so called because it may make a croaking noise by use of its bladder; the Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus, formerly Micropogon undulatus) and the squeteague are a members of the croaker family, and the kingfish is a drum. |