coral

¹

[kawr-uhl, kor-]

noun

1. the hard, variously colored, calcareous skeleton secreted by certain marine polyps.

2. such skeletons collectively, forming reefs, islands, etc.

3. the solitary or colonial polyp that secretes this calcareous skeleton.

4. a reddish yellow; light yellowish red; pinkish yellow.

5. the unimpregnated roe or eggs of the lobster that when boiled take on the color of red coral.

6. something made of coral, as an ornament, piece of jewelry, or a child's toy.

adjective

1. made of coral.

   a coral reef; coral ornamentation.

2. making coral.

   a coral polyp.

3. resembling coral, especially in color; yellowish-red.

Coral

²

[kawr-uhl, kor-]

noun

1. a female given name.

coral

/ ˈkɒrəl /

noun

1. any marine mostly colonial coelenterate of the class Anthozoa having a calcareous, horny, or soft skeleton See also stony coral sea fan

2. 1. the calcareous or horny material forming the skeleton of certain of these animals

   2. ( as modifier ) See also red coral

      a coral reef

3. 1. a rocklike aggregation of certain of these animals or their skeletons, forming an island or reef

   2. ( as modifier )

      a coral island

4. 1. an object made of coral, esp a piece of jewellery

   2. ( as modifier )

      a coral necklace

5. 1. a deep-pink to yellowish-pink colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      coral lipstick

6. the roe of a lobster or crab, which becomes pink when cooked

coral

1. Any of numerous small, sedentary cnidarians (coelenterates) of the class Anthozoa. Corals often form massive colonies in shallow sea water and secrete a cup-shaped skeleton of calcium carbonate, which they can retreat into when in danger. Corals are related to the sea anemones and have stinging tentacles around the mouth opening that are used to catch prey.

2. A hard, stony substance consisting of the skeletons of these animals. It is typically white, pink, or reddish and can form large reefs that support an abundance of ocean fish.

Other Word Forms

• corallike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coral¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English coral(l), from Latin corāll(i)um, from Greek korā́llion “red coral,” equivalent to korall- (from Semitic; compare Hebrew gōrāl “pebble”) + -ion diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of coral¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin corāllium, from Greek korallion, probably of Semitic origin

Example Sentences

Mass coral die-off is underway and, unless global warming is reversed, large reef systems as we know them will disappear.

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The world's tropical coral reefs have almost certainly crossed a point of no return as oceans warm beyond a level most can survive, a major scientific report announced on Monday.

Read more on Barron's

For coral reefs, profound and lasting changes are already in motion.

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"This could contribute to changing the way we see the ocean. "We most often talk about whales, coral reefs, and ice caps, but coccolithophores are a vital part of the planet's climate system.

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The archipelago is vulnerable to climate change and is facing rising sea levels, the deterioration of the marine ecosystem -- particularly its coral reefs -- as well as landslides, flooding and drought.

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Related Words

• cardinal 
• crimson 
• flaming 
• glowing 
• maroon 
• rose 
• wine