GORGONIAN

gorgonian, gorgonian coral

(noun) corals having a horny or calcareous branching skeleton

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Adjective

gorgonian (comparative more gorgonian, superlative most gorgonian)

Of or relating to the mythical gorgon; terrible or repulsive.

Of or relating to any coral of the order Alcyonacea.

Noun

gorgonian (plural gorgonians)

A member of the order Alcyonacea, comprising the soft corals.

Source: Wiktionary

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Gor*go"ni*an, a. Etym: [L. Gorgoneus.]

1. Pertaining to, or resembling, a Gorgon; terrifying into stone; terrific. The rest his look Bound with Gorgonian rigor not to move. Milton.

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: Pertaining to the Gorgoniacea; as, gorgonian coral.

Gor*go"ni*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Definition: One of the Gorgoniacea.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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