cnidarian

(ni derē ən)

noun

any of a phylum (Cnidaria) of invertebrate animals, mainly marine, including jellyfishes, hydrozoans, and anthozoans, characterized by stinging cells and a saclike body cavity with a single opening for ingesting food and eliminating wastes; coelenterate

Origin: ModL Cnidaria < Gr knidē, nettle + -aria: so called for the creatures' stinging cells

See cnidarian in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
Any of various invertebrate animals of the phylum Cnidaria, characterized by a radially symmetrical body with a saclike internal cavity, and including the jellyfishes, hydras, sea anemones, and corals. Also called coelenterate.
adjective
Of, relating to, or belonging to the phylum Cnidaria.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin Cnīdāria, phylum name

Origin: , from Greek knīdē, sea nettle

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cnidarian

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