zoantharian

noun

zo·​an·​thar·​i·​an ˌzō-ən-ˈther-ē-ən 

: 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

zoantharian adjective

Example Sentences

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, 20 Dec. 2016

Word History

Etymology

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").

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above