alcyonarian

[ al-see-uh-nair-ee-uhn ]

/ ˌæl si əˈnɛər i ən /

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noun

any anthozoan coelenterate of the subclass Alcyonaria, as corals and sea anemones, having the tentacles and other body parts in branches or segments of eight.

adjective

belonging or pertaining to the Alcyonaria.

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Origin of alcyonarian

1875–80; <New Latin Alcyonari(a) (<Greek alkyón(ion) a type of coral named from its resemblance to the nest of the kingfisher (alkyṓn) + Latin -āria-ary) + -an

Words nearby alcyonarian

Alcorcón, Alcott, Alcott, Louisa May, alcove, Alcuin, alcyonarian, Alcyone, Alcyoneus, Ald., Alda, Aldabra

How to use alcyonarian in a sentence

In the Alcyonarian forms belonging to this great group these tentacles are always eight in number, and fringed on both sides.
Young Folks' Library, Volume XI (of 20)|Various
More interesting than the Annelids, however, are the Alcyonarian Actinozoa.
Young Folks' Library, Volume XI (of 20)|Various
Every Alcyonarian colony is developed by budding from a single parent zooid.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2|Various