zoantharian

zo·an·thar·i·an | \ ˌzō-ən-ˈther-ē-ən

Definition of zoantharian

: any of a subclass (Hexacorallia synonym Zoantharia) of anthozoans having tentacles or septa or both that are typically six or a multiple of six in number and including most of the recent corals and sea anemones

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Examples of zoantharian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But S. exilis, discovered off the coast of a southern Japanese island and described in ZooKeys in July, is one of only four solitary-living zoantharians. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, "The 2016 New Species Smackdown," 20 Dec. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'zoantharian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for zoantharian

New Latin Zoantharia, order name, Latinization of French zoanthaires (from New Latin Zoanthus, a genus—from zo- zo- + Greek ánthos "flower"— + French -aires, plural of -aire -ary entry 1) + -an entry 1 — more at antho-

Note: French zoanthaires was apparently introduced by the zoologist Henri-Marie Ducrotay de Blainville (1777-1850) in Manuel d'actinologie (Paris, 1834), p. 308. The genus name Zoanthus is used, if not described, by Georges cuvier in Leçons d'anatomie comparée, tome 1 (Paris, An X [1801-02]), neuvième tableau ("Classification des zoophytes").

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