siphonophore

[ sahy-fuh-nuh-fawr, -fohr, sahy-fon-uh- ]

noun

1. any pelagic hydrozoan of the order Siphonophora, being a floating or swimming colony composed of polyps.

siphonophore

/ saɪˈfɒnə-; ˈsaɪfənəˌfɔː; ˌsaɪfəˈnɒfərəs /

noun

1. any marine colonial hydrozoan of the order Siphonophora, including the Portuguese man-of-war

siphonophore

/ sī-fŏn′ə-fôr′,sī′fə-nə- /

1. Any of various transparent, often subtly colored marine cnidarians of the order Siphonophora, consisting of a delicate floating or swimming colony of polyplike and medusalike individuals. Siphonophores can reach lengths of 40 m (131 ft), making them longer than blue whales. The Portuguese man-of-war is a siphonophore.

Derived Forms

• siphonophorous, adjective

Other Words From

• si·pho·noph·o·rous [sahy-f, uh, -, nof, -er-, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of siphonophore¹

1835–45; < New Latin Siphonophora name of the order < Greek siphōnophór ( os ) tube-carrying (equivalent to siphōno- siphono- + -phóros -phore ) + -a neuter plural noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of siphonophore¹

C19: from New Latin siphonophora, from Greek siphōnophoros tube-bearing

Example Sentences

Here ctenophores swim about using glittering comb-legs, colonies of siphonophore clones stretch a hundred feet long, and giant larvaceans secrete elaborate mucus structures.

From MIT Technology Review