coelenterate noun & adjective. [si:'lɛnt(ǝ)rǝt] L19.
[from mod. Latin Coelenterata (see below), from Greek koilos hollow + enteron intestine: see -ATE².]
Zoology.
A. noun. Orig., an animal of the invertebrate phylum Coelenterata, which comprised the present-day phyla Cnidaria, Ctenophora, and sometimes Porifera (sponges). Now usu., an animal of the phylum Cnidaria (also called Coelenterata), which includes jellyfishes, hydras, sea anemones, and corals. Cf. CNIDARIAN. L19.
b. adjective. Of or pertaining to this group of animals. L19.

■ coelenteron noun the central gastric cavity of a coelenterate L19.

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