coelenterate

[ si-len-tuh-reyt, -ter-it ]

noun

1. any invertebrate animal of the phylum Coelenterata, including the hydras, jellyfishes, sea anemones, and corals, characterized by a single internal cavity serving for digestion, excretion, and other functions and having tentacles on the oral end. Compare cnidarian.

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Coelenterata.

coelenterate

/ ˌsiːlɛnˈtɛrɪk; sɪˈlɛntəˌreɪt; -rɪt /

noun

1. any invertebrate of the phylum Cnidaria (formerly Coelenterata ), having a saclike body with a single opening (mouth), which occurs in polyp and medusa forms. Coelenterates include the hydra, jellyfishes, sea anemones, and corals

adjective

1. (loosely) any invertebrate of the phyla Cnidaria or Ctenophora
2. of or relating to coelenterates

coelenterate

/ sĭ-lĕn′tə-rĭt /

1. A marine invertebrate of the obsolete phylum Coelenterata, which included the cnidarians

Derived Forms

• coelenteric, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coelenterate¹

First recorded in 1870–75; Coelenterata

Word History and Origins

Origin of coelenterate¹

C19: from New Latin Coelenterata, hollow-intestined (creatures); see coel- , enteron

Related Words

• tumor