zoophyte
/ˈzuːəfʌɪt
/ /ˈzəʊəfʌɪt/ /ˈzuːfʌɪt /noun Zoology, dated
A plant-like animal, especially a coral, sea anemone, sponge, or sea lily.There resulted, he proposed, eleven general grades with man at the apex and the zoophytes at the bottom, the zoophytes being invertebrate animals resembling plants....
- A bottle was produced which was said to contain certain zoophytes.
- Sheer chance had placed me in the presence of the most valuable specimens of this zoophyte.
Origin
Early 17th century: from Greek zōiophuton (see zoo-, -phyte).