coelenterate

American  

[si-len-tuh-reyt, -ter-it] / sɪˈlɛn təˌreɪt, -tər ɪt /

noun

1. any invertebrate animal of the phylum Coelenterata, including the hydras, jellyfishes, sea anemones, and corals, characterized by a single internal cavity serving for digestion, excretion, and other functions and having tentacles on the oral end.

---

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Coelenterata.

coelenterate British  

/ sɪˈlɛntəˌreɪt, -rɪt, ˌsiːlɛnˈtɛrɪk /

noun

1. any invertebrate of the phylum Cnidaria (formerly Coelenterata ), having a saclike body with a single opening (mouth), which occurs in polyp and medusa forms. Coelenterates include the hydra, jellyfishes, sea anemones, and corals

---

adjective

1. (loosely) any invertebrate of the phyla Cnidaria or Ctenophora

2. of or relating to coelenterates

coelenterate Scientific  

/ sĭ-lĕn′tə-rĭt /

1. A marine invertebrate of the obsolete phylum Coelenterata, which included the cnidarians

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• coelenteric
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of coelenterate

First recorded in 1870–75; see origin at Coelenterata

Related Words

• tumor