coelenterates
|co-el-en-ter-ates|
C1
/sɪˈlɛntəˌreɪts/
(coelenterate)
simple aquatic invertebrates
Etymology
Etymology Information
'coelenterate' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'koilos' meaning 'hollow' and 'enteron' meaning 'intestine'.
Historical Evolution
'coelenterate' changed from the Greek word 'koilos enteron' and eventually became the modern English word 'coelenterate'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'hollow intestine', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'aquatic invertebrates with a simple body structure'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
aquatic invertebrates belonging to the phylum Cnidaria, which includes jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones.
Coelenterates are known for their stinging cells called cnidocytes.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/13 10:12