obelia

American  

[oh-beel-yuh, oh-bee-lee-uh] / oʊˈbil jə, oʊˈbi li ə /

noun

1. a colonial hydroid of the genus Obelia, common in temperate seas and appearing as a delicate, mosslike growth on rocks, pilings, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of obelia

1865–70; < New Latin < Greek obelías a loaf toasted on a spit, equivalent to obel ( ós ) a spit ( see obelisk) + -ias noun suffix