obelia

[ oh-beel-yuh, oh-bee-lee-uh ]

noun

1. a colonial hydroid of the genus Obelia, common in temperate seas and appearing as a delicate, mosslike growth on rocks, pilings, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of obelia¹

1865–70; < New Latin < Greek obelías a loaf toasted on a spit, equivalent to obel ( ós ) a spit ( obelisk ) + -ias noun suffix

Example Sentences

Scientists have happily given these most euphonious names—Campanularia, Obelia, and Plumularia.

From Project Gutenberg

Two of the commonest British hydroids belong to this family, Obelia and Clytia.

From Project Gutenberg