coral

cor·al

noun \ˈkȯr-əl, ˈkär-\

Definition of CORAL

1

a : the calcareous or horny skeletal deposit produced by anthozoan or rarely hydrozoan polyps; especially : a richly red precious coral secreted by a gorgonian (genus Corallium) b : a polyp or polyp colony together with its membranes and skeleton

2

: a piece of coral and especially of red coral

3

a : a bright reddish ovary (as of a lobster or scallop) b : a deep pink

— coral adjective

— cor·al·loid \-ə-ˌlȯid\ adjective

Examples of CORAL

1. brightly colored fishes swimming among the coral

Origin of CORAL

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin corallium, from Greek korallion

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

anemone, cephalopod, quahog

Rhymes with CORAL

aural, chloral, choral, floral, laurel, moral, oral, quarrel, sorrel