actinal

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

adjective Zoology.

having tentacles or rays.

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

Origin of actinal

1857; actin- + -al¹; coined, with sense of def. 2, by Louis Agassiz

Related formsac·ti·nal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for actinal

Historical Examples of actinal

The larval mouth is transported into the centre of the actinal disc.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4)
Francis Maitland Balfour
It is situated on the actinal or ventral surface of the future starfish, and is related to the left peritoneal vesicle.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4)
Francis Maitland Balfour
The plane of the actinal surface at first meets that of the abactinal at an acute or nearly right angle.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4)
Francis Maitland Balfour

British Dictionary definitions for actinal

actinal

adjective

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

possessing rays or tentacles, as a jellyfish

Derived Formsactinally, adverb

Word Origin for actinal

C19: see actino-, -al 1

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