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gorgonian

(gôr gō′nē ən)

noun

any of an order (Gorgonacea) of colonial anthozoans with a horny, axial skeleton that branches, as in the sea whips, or forms an open network, as in the sea fans

Origin: ModL Gorgonia, name of the genus < L, coral (< Gorgo, Gorgon) + -an

See gorgonian in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of various corals of the order Gorgonacea, having a flexible, often branching skeleton of horny material.

adjective

Of or belonging to the order Gorgonacea.

Origin:

Origin: From Latin gorgonia, coral

Origin: , from Gorgō, Gorgon-, Gorgon; see gorgon

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