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

A necklace made from a crinoid fossil stem.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the echinoderms found at the excavation site, the feather stars — marine invertebrate crinoids with feathery arms — were the rarest.

From New York Times

Ancient sea creatures - including corals, brachiopods and crinoids - deposited their shells in the sea.

From Washington Times

He studied crinoids: marine animals, related to starfish, that resemble flowers or feathers.

From Nature

For instance, on that wall you see something that’s gray and unusual looking — it’s a crinoid fossil from the Cambrian Period, which is over 500 million years ago.

From New York Times