coelenterate
[ si-len-tuh-reyt, -ter-it ]
/ sɪˈlɛn təˌreɪt, -tər ɪt /
noun
any invertebrate animal of the phylum Coelenterata, including the hydras, jellyfishes, sea anemones, and corals, characterized by a single internal cavity serving for digestion, excretion, and other functions and having tentacles on the oral end.
Compare cnidarian.
adjective
belonging or pertaining to the Coelenterata.
Origin of coelenterate
First recorded in 1870–75; see origin at
Coelenterata
Words nearby coelenterate
coefficient of viscosity,
coel-,
coelacanth,
coelanaglyphic,
coelenterata,
coelenterate,
coelenteron,
coeliac,
coeliac disease,
coelom,
coelomate
British Dictionary definitions for coelenterate
coelenterate
/ (sɪˈlɛntəˌreɪt, -rɪt) /
noun
any invertebrate of the phylum Cnidaria (formerly Coelenterata), having a saclike body with a single opening (mouth), which occurs in polyp and medusa forms. Coelenterates include the hydra, jellyfishes, sea anemones, and corals
adjective
(loosely) any invertebrate of the phyla Cnidaria or Ctenophora
of or relating to coelenterates
Derived forms of coelenterate
coelenteric (ˌsiːlɛnˈtɛrɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for coelenterate
C19: from New Latin
Coelenterata, hollow-intestined (creatures); see
coel-,
enteron
Scientific definitions for coelenterate
coelenterate
[ sĭ-lĕn′tə-rĭt ]
A marine invertebrate of the obsolete phylum Coelenterata, which included the cnidarians