Ctenophora

plural noun

Cte·​noph·​o·​ra
tə-ˈnä-fə-rə
: a small phylum sometimes especially formerly considered a class of Coelenterata and consisting of widely distributed and at times very abundant marine hermaphroditic solitary animals that superficially resemble jellyfishes, are usually more or less ellipsoidal with decided biradial symmetry, and swim by means of eight meridional bands of transverse ciliated plates, each plate representing a row of large modified cilia compare nuda , tentaculata , comb sense 4c; venus's-girdle
ctenophoral
tə-ˈnä-fə-rəl
adjective
ctenophoran noun or adjective
ctenophoric
¦te-nə-¦fȯr-ik
adjective
ctenophorous
tə-ˈnä-fə-rəs
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from cten- + -phora

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near Ctenophora

Cite this Entry

“Ctenophora.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ctenophora. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!