Car`ti*lag"i*nous (?), a. [L. cartilaginosus: cf. F. cartilagineux.]
1.
Of or pertaining to cartilage; gristly; firm and tough like cartilage.
2. Zool.
Having the skeleton in the state of cartilage, the bones containing little or no calcareous matter; said of certain fishes, as the sturgeon and the sharks.
© Webster 1913.