gorgonian

gor·go·ni·an  (gôr-gn-n)

n.

Any of various corals of the order Gorgonacea, having a flexible, often branching skeleton of horny material.

adj.

Of or belonging to the order Gorgonacea.

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[From Latin gorgonia, coral, from Gorg, Gorgon-, Gorgon; see Gorgon.]

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gorgonian [gɔːˈgəʊnɪən]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any coral of the order Gorgonacea, having a horny or calcareous branching skeleton: includes the sea fans and red corals

adj

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) of, relating to, or belonging to the Gorgonacea

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Gorgonian [gɔːˈgəʊnɪən]

adj

(Myth & Legend / Classical Myth & Legend) of or resembling a Gorgon

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

gorgonian - corals having a horny or calcareous branching skeleton gorgonian coral coral - marine colonial polyp characterized by a calcareous skeleton; masses in a variety of shapes often forming reefs Gorgonacea, Gorgoniacea, suborder Gorgonacea, suborder Gorgoniacea - red corals and sea fans sea feather - corals forming featherlike colonies sea fan - corals having a treelike or fan-shaped horny skeleton red coral - corals of especially the Mediterranean having pink or red color used for ornaments and jewelry