coralline

American  

[kawr-uh-lin, -lahyn, kor-] / ˈkɔr ə lɪn, -ˌlaɪn, ˈkɒr- /

adjective

1. composed of coral or having the structure of coral.

   coralline limestone.

2. corallike.

3. coral-colored; reddish-yellow; light yellowish-red; pinkish-yellow.

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noun

1. any red algae impregnated with lime.

2. any of various corallike animals or calcareous algae.

coralline British  

/ ˈkɒrəˌlaɪn /

adjective

1. Also: coralloid.  of, relating to, or resembling coral

2. of the colour of coral

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noun

1. any of various red algae impregnated with calcium carbonate, esp any of the genus Corallina

2. any of various animals that resemble coral, such as certain sponges

Etymology

Origin of coralline

First recorded in 1535–45, coralline is from the Late Latin word corallīnus coral red. See coral, -ine ¹

Example Sentences

Whereas coralline algae form thin, hard crusts that are pink or whitish, peyssonnelid algae make thicker, brown or dark red crusts that are often a little squishy above a hard base.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 6, 2023

They include small size, which may reduce physiological requirements, and their ability to feed on a variety of food sources, despite preferring a diet of coralline algae.

From Science Daily • Oct. 18, 2023

Superflex chose pink marble as an allusion to the coralline algae that coral polyps eat and which tint a reef.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2021

Gelidium flourishes along the wave-battered west coast shore, and varies from sickly yellow clumps to purple coralline fans.

From The Guardian • Oct. 27, 2020

It stands on a narrow coralline embankment, within a bound of the smooth, pebbly beach—surrounded by noble trees, and overhanging clusters of the richest tropical foliage.

From Los Gringos Or, An Inside View of Mexico and California, with Wanderings in Peru, Chili, and Polynesia by Wise, H. A. (Henry Augustus)