coral








noun

  1. the hard, variously colored, calcareous skeleton secreted by certain marine polyps.
  2. such skeletons collectively, forming reefs, islands, etc.
  3. the solitary or colonial polyp that secretes this calcareous skeleton.
  4. a reddish yellow; light yellowish red; pinkish yellow.
  5. the unimpregnated roe or eggs of the lobster that when boiled take on the color of red coral.
  6. something made of coral, as an ornament, piece of jewelry, or a child’s toy.

adjective

  1. made of coral: a coral reef; coral ornamentation.
  2. making coral: a coral polyp.
  3. resembling coral, especially in color; yellowish-red.

noun

  1. a female given name.

noun

  1. any marine mostly colonial coelenterate of the class Anthozoa having a calcareous, horny, or soft skeletonSee also stony coral, sea fan
    1. the calcareous or horny material forming the skeleton of certain of these animals
    2. (as modifier)a coral reef See also red coral
    1. a rocklike aggregation of certain of these animals or their skeletons, forming an island or reef
    2. (as modifier)a coral island
    1. an object made of coral, esp a piece of jewellery
    2. (as modifier)a coral necklace
    1. a deep-pink to yellowish-pink colour
    2. (as adjective)coral lipstick
  2. the roe of a lobster or crab, which becomes pink when cooked
n.

c.1300, from Old French coral (12c., Modern French corail), from Latin corallium, from Greek korallion; perhaps of Semitic origin (cf. Hebrew goral “small pebble,” Arabic garal “small stone”), originally just the red variety found in the Mediterranean, hence use of the word as a symbol of “red.” Related: Coralline. Coral snake (1760) is so called for the red zones in its markings. Coral reef is attested from 1745.

  1. Any of numerous small, sedentary cnidarians (coelenterates) of the class Anthozoa. Corals often form massive colonies in shallow sea water and secrete a cup-shaped skeleton of calcium carbonate, which they can retreat into when in danger. Corals are related to the sea anemones and have stinging tentacles around the mouth opening that are used to catch prey.
  2. A hard, stony substance consisting of the skeletons of these animals. It is typically white, pink, or reddish and can form large reefs that support an abundance of ocean fish.
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