Malapterurus \Mal*ap`te*ru"rus\ (m[a^]l*[a^]p`t[-e]*r[udd]"r[u^]s), prop. n. [NL., from Gr. malako`s soft + ptero`n wing + o'yra` tail.] (Zool.) A genus of African siluroid fishes, including the electric catfishes. See {Electric cat}, under {Electric}. [Sometimes spelled {Malopterurus}.] [1913 Webster]