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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, adjectiveWords nearby coral
Cora, coraciiform, coracle, coracoid, coraji, coral, coral bells, coralberry, coral fern, coral fungus, Coral Gables
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
- the calcareous or horny material forming the skeleton of certain of these animals
- (as modifier)a coral reef See also red coral
- a rocklike aggregation of certain of these animals or their skeletons, forming an island or reef
- (as modifier)a coral island
- an object made of coral, esp a piece of jewellery
- (as modifier)a coral necklace
- a deep-pink to yellowish-pink colour
- (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
[ kôr′əl ]
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.