hydroid
[ hahy-droid ]
/ ˈhaɪ drɔɪd /
adjective
noting or pertaining to that form of hydrozoan that is asexual and grows into branching colonies by budding.
noun
the phase of a hydrozoan coelenterate that consists of polyp forms usually growing as an attached colony.
Words nearby hydroid
Example sentences from the Web for hydroid
British Dictionary definitions for hydroid
hydroid
/ (ˈhaɪdrɔɪd) /
adjective
of or relating to the Hydroida, an order of colonial hydrozoan coelenterates that have the polyp phase dominant
(of coelenterate colonies or individuals) having or consisting of hydra-like polyps
noun
a hydroid colony or individual
Word Origin for hydroid
C19: from
hydra +
-oid
Scientific definitions for hydroid
hydroid
[ hī′droid′ ]
Any of numerous, usually colonial marine cnidarians, having a polyp rather than a medusoid form as the dominant stage of the life cycle. Hydroids have a simple cylindrical body with a mouthlike opening surrounded by tentacles. Most species form colonies with individual hydroids branching off from a common hollow tube that is probably used to share ingested food. The young develop from eggs or from buds. The most well-known hydroids are the hydras (genus Hydra), which are atypical in being both freshwater and solitary.