What is "angel shark"

Angel \An"gel\, n. [AS. [ae]ngel, engel, influenced by OF. angele, angle, F. ange. Both the AS. and the OF. words are from L. angelus, Gr. 'a`ggelos messenger, a messenger of God, an angel.]

1. A messenger. [R.]

   The dear good angel of the Spring, The nightingale.
   --B. Jonson.

2. A spiritual, celestial being, superior to man in power and intelligence. In the Scriptures the angels appear as God's messengers.

   O, welcome, pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope, Thou hovering angel, girt with golden wings.
   --Milton.

3. One of a class of ``fallen angels;'' an evil spirit; as, the devil and his angels.

4. A minister or pastor of a church, as in the Seven Asiatic churches. [Archaic]

   Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write.
   --Rev. ii. 1.

5. Attendant spirit; genius; demon.
   --Shak.

6. An appellation given to a person supposed to be of angelic goodness or loveliness; a darling.

   When pain and anguish wring the brow, A ministering angel thou.
   --Sir W. Scott.

7. (Numis.) An ancient gold coin of England, bearing the figure of the archangel Michael. It varied in value from 6s. 8d. to 10s. --Amer. Cyc. Note: Angel is sometimes used adjectively; as, angel grace; angel whiteness. Angel bed, a bed without posts. Angel fish. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. A species of shark ( Squatina angelus) from six to eight feet long, found on the coasts of Europe and North America. It takes its name from its pectoral fins, which are very large and extend horizontally like wings when spread.

   2. One of several species of compressed, bright colored fishes warm seas, belonging to the family Ch[ae]todontid[ae].

      Angel gold, standard gold. [Obs.]
      --Fuller.

      Angel shark. See Angel fish.

      Angel shot (Mil.), a kind of chain shot.

      Angel water, a perfumed liquid made at first chiefly from angelica; afterwards containing rose, myrtle, and orange-flower waters, with ambergris, etc. [Obs.]

n. A member of the unusual genus (taxlink Squatina genus noshow=1) of sharks with flattened bodies and broad pectoral fins resembling skates or rays. There are approximately 16 known species, which are the only members of their taxonomic genus, family and order. They occur worldwide in temperate and tropical seas.

n. sharks with broad flat bodies and winglike pectoral fins but that swim the way sharks do [syn: angelfish, Squatina squatina, monkfish]

Squatina is a genus of shark in the family Squatinidae, which are unusual in having flattened bodies and broad pectoral fins that give them a strong resemblance to rays. This genus is the only one in its family and order Squatiniformes. They occur worldwide in temperate and tropical seas. Most species inhabit shallow temperate or tropical seas, but a few species inhabits deeper water, down to . Angel sharks are sometimes called monkfish, although this name is also applied to members of the genus Lophius.