crinoid

American  

[krahy-noid, krin-oid] / ˈkraɪ nɔɪd, ˈkrɪn ɔɪd /

noun

1. any echinoderm of the class Crinoidea, having a cup-shaped body to which are attached branched, radiating arms, comprising the sea lilies, feather stars, and various fossil forms.

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adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Crinoidea.

2. lilylike.

crinoid British  

/ ˈkraɪnɔɪd, ˈkrɪn- /

noun

1. any primitive echinoderm of the class Crinoidea, having delicate feathery arms radiating from a central disc. The group includes the free-swimming feather stars, the sessile sea lilies, and many stemmed fossil forms

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Crinoidea

2. shaped like a lily

crinoid Scientific  

/ krī′noid′ /

1. Any of various marine echinoderms of the class Crinoidea. Crinoids have a cup-shaped body with five or more feathery arms and sometimes a stalk for attachment to a surface. The arms contain reproductive organs and sensory tube feet. Crinoids were common during the Paleozoic Era and are important index fossils. Sea lilies and feather stars are types of crinoids.

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Other Word Forms

• crinoidal
  adjective
• noncrinoid
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of crinoid

1825–35; < Greek krinoeidḗs, equivalent to krín ( on ) lily + -oeidēs -oid

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crinoid

The fossil does more than expand scientists' knowledge of crinoid anatomy.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026

The "beads" are fossilised parts of the stem of a marine animal called a crinoid, but they earnt their nickname from St Cuthbert, considered the patron saint of the North of England.

From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2026

A necklace made from a crinoid fossil stem.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2025

The new species of Oxycomanthus crinoid, or feather star.

From Scientific American ● Mar. 14, 2013

Here, too, the local "tone" that has been mentioned made itself felt; thus, the little girl used the word "crinoid" every day, to designate sections of fossil crinoid stems which abounded in neighboring gravel walks.

From The Mind of the Child, Part II The Development of the Intellect, International Education Series Edited By William T. Harris, Volume IX. by William T. Preyer