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cnidarian
(ni der′ē 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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