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coral

[ kawr-uhl, kor- ]
/ ˈkɔr əl, ˈkɒr- /
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noun
adjective
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Origin of coral

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English coral(l), from Latin corāll(i)um, from Greek korā́llion “red coral,” equivalent to korall- (from Semitic; compare Hebrew gōrāl “pebble”) + -ion diminutive suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM coral

cor·al·like, adjective

Other definitions for coral (2 of 2)

Coral
[ kawr-uhl, kor- ]
/ ˈkɔr əl, ˈkɒr- /

noun
a female given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use coral in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for coral

coral
/ (ˈkɒrəl) /

noun
any marine mostly colonial coelenterate of the class Anthozoa having a calcareous, horny, or soft skeletonSee also stony coral, sea fan
  1. the calcareous or horny material forming the skeleton of certain of these animals
  2. (as modifier)a coral reef See also red coral
  1. a rocklike aggregation of certain of these animals or their skeletons, forming an island or reef
  2. (as modifier)a coral island
  1. an object made of coral, esp a piece of jewellery
  2. (as modifier)a coral necklace
  1. a deep-pink to yellowish-pink colour
  2. (as adjective)coral lipstick
the roe of a lobster or crab, which becomes pink when cooked

Word Origin for coral

C14: from Old French, from Latin corāllium, from Greek korallion, probably of Semitic origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for coral

coral
[ kôrəl ]

Any of numerous small, sedentary cnidarians (coelenterates) of the class Anthozoa. Corals often form massive colonies in shallow sea water and secrete a cup-shaped skeleton of calcium carbonate, which they can retreat into when in danger. Corals are related to the sea anemones and have stinging tentacles around the mouth opening that are used to catch prey.
A hard, stony substance consisting of the skeletons of these animals. It is typically white, pink, or reddish and can form large reefs that support an abundance of ocean fish.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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