siphonophore

[ sahy-fuh-nuh-fawr, -fohr, sahy-fon-uh- ]
/ ˈsaɪ fə nəˌfɔr, -ˌfoʊr, saɪˈfɒn ə- /

noun

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

Origin of siphonophore

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

OTHER WORDS FROM siphonophore

si·pho·noph·o·rous [sahy-fuh-nof-er-uh s] /ˌsaɪ fəˈnɒf ər əs/, adjective

Words nearby siphonophore

siphon, siphon bottle, siphonage, siphonapterous, siphono-, siphonophore, siphonostele, siphuncle, sipid, siple, sippar

British Dictionary definitions for siphonophore

siphonophore
/ (ˈsaɪfənəˌfɔː, saɪˈfɒnə-) /

noun

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

Derived forms of siphonophore

siphonophorous (ˌsaɪfəˈnɒfərəs), adjective

Word Origin for siphonophore

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

Scientific definitions for siphonophore

siphonophore
[ sī-fŏn′ə-fôr′, sī′fə-nə- ]

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.