Perciformes n 1: one of the largest natural groups of fishes of both marine and fresh water: true perches; basses; tuna [syn: {Perciformes}, {order Perciformes}, {Percomorphi}, {order Percomorphi}]
Perciformes \Per`ci*for"mes\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zool.) An extensive order of fishes, including the true perches ({Percid[ae]}); the pondfishes ({Centrarchid[ae]}); the sci[ae]noids ({Sci[ae]nid[ae]}); the sparoids ({Sparid[ae]}); the serranoids ({Serranid[ae]}), and some other related families. [1913 Webster] Percipience