Definition of coelenterate in English:
coelenterate
noun siːˈlɛnt(ə)rətsiːˈlɛnt(ə)reɪtsiˈlɛntəreɪt
Zoology An aquatic invertebrate animal of a phylum that includes jellyfishes, corals, and sea anemones. They typically have a tube- or cup-shaped body with a single opening ringed with tentacles that bear stinging cells (nematocysts).
Phylum Cnidaria (formerly Coelenterata): four classes
Also called cnidarian
Example sentencesExamples
- Throughout the wreck dive we have been shadowed by thousands of coelenterates, drifting by like a slow hail of souls.
- Over 200 species of micro-organisms, fish, crustaceans, polychaetes, echinoderms, coelenterates, and molluscs have been identified in the vent areas.
- Some Late Precambrian Ediacaran fossils bear strong resemblances to colonial coelenterates called sea pens.
- Seabather's eruption occurs when a person is exposed to the larvae of certain coelenterates.
- Surfers more often encounter free-floating coelenterates such as the true jellyfish, Portuguese man-of-war, and box jellyfish.
Origin
Late 19th century: from modern Latin Coelenterata, from Greek koilos 'hollow' + enteron 'intestine'.
Definition of coelenterate in US English:
coelenterate
nounsiˈlɛntəreɪtsēˈlentərāt
Zoology An aquatic invertebrate animal of a phylum that includes jellyfishes, corals, and sea anemones. They are distinguished by having a tube- or cup-shaped body and a single opening ringed with tentacles.
Phylum Cnidaria (formerly Coelenterata): four classes
Also called cnidarian
Example sentencesExamples
- Over 200 species of micro-organisms, fish, crustaceans, polychaetes, echinoderms, coelenterates, and molluscs have been identified in the vent areas.
- Some Late Precambrian Ediacaran fossils bear strong resemblances to colonial coelenterates called sea pens.
- Seabather's eruption occurs when a person is exposed to the larvae of certain coelenterates.
- Throughout the wreck dive we have been shadowed by thousands of coelenterates, drifting by like a slow hail of souls.
- Surfers more often encounter free-floating coelenterates such as the true jellyfish, Portuguese man-of-war, and box jellyfish.
Origin
Late 19th century: from modern Latin Coelenterata, from Greek koilos ‘hollow’ + enteron ‘intestine’.