zoophyte

[ zoh-uh-fahyt ]

/ ˈzoʊ əˌfaɪt /

any of various invertebrate animals resembling a plant, as a coral or a sea anemone.

Origin of zoophyte

1615–25; < New Latin zōophyton < Greek zōióphyton. See zoo-, -phyte

zo·o·phyt·ic

[zoh-uh-fit-ik] /ˌzoʊ əˈfɪt ɪk/, zo·o·phyt·i·cal, adjective

In complexity, our large civilized nations as much exceed primitive savage tribes, as a vertebrate animal does a zoophyte.

Illustrations of Universal Progress |Herbert Spencer
The little species use the leaves and stems of water-plants; the larger species use seaweed and zoophyte.

The Outline of Science, Vol. 1 (of 4) |J. Arthur Thomson
I suppose in this dark cave, where neither seaweed nor zoophyte exists, there is no such thing.

The Mystery of the Sea |Bram Stoker
Z is a Zoophyte, whose heart's in his head,And whose head's in his turn—rudimentary Z!

Adventures in Criticism |Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch

The sermon was not exactly "Greek" to them, but it was all "zoophyte."

Prisoner for Blasphemy |G. W. [George William] Foote

zoophyte

/ (ˈzəʊəˌfaɪt) /

any animal resembling a plant, such as a sea anemone

zoophytic (ˌzəʊəˈfɪtɪk) or zoophytical, adjective