actinal

[ak-tuh-nl, ak-tahyn-l]

adjective

Zoology.

1. having tentacles or rays.

2. pertaining to the oral area from which the arms or tentacles radiate.

actinal

/ ˈæktɪnəl, ækˈtaɪnəl /

adjective

1. of or denoting the oral part of a radiate animal, such as a jellyfish, sea anemone, or sponge, from which the rays, tentacles, or arms grow

2. possessing rays or tentacles, as a jellyfish

Other Word Forms

• actinally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of actinal¹

1857; actin- + -al ¹; coined, with sense of actinal def. 2, by Louis Agassiz

Word History and Origins

Origin of actinal¹

C19: see _actino- , _-al ¹

Example Sentences

Pertaining to the surface or end opposite to the mouth in a radiate animal;Ðopposed to actinal.

From Project Gutenberg