coral Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun a variable color averaging a deep pink
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noun the hard stony skeleton of a Mediterranean coral that has a delicate red or pink color and is used for jewelry
precious coral; red coral.
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noun unfertilized lobster roe; reddens in cooking; used as garnish or to color sauces
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noun marine colonial polyp characterized by a calcareous skeleton; masses in a variety of shapes often forming reefs
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adjective satellite of a strong pink to yellowish-pink color
WordNet
Cor"al noun
Etymology
Of.Definitions
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(Zoöl.) The hard parts or skeleton of various Anthozoa, and of a few Hydrozoa. Similar structures are also formed by some Bryozoa. ✍ The large stony corals forming coral reefs belong to various genera of Madreporaria , and to the hydroid genus,Millepora . The red coral, used in jewelry, is the stony axis of the stem of a gorgonian (Corallium rubrum ) found chiefly in the Mediterranean. The fan corals, plume corals, and sea feathers are species ofGorgoniacea , in which the axis is horny. Organ-pipe coral is formed by the genusTubipora , an Alcyonarian, and black coral is in part the axis of species of the genusAntipathes . SeeAnthozoa ,Madrepora . -
The ovaries of a cooked lobster; -- so called from their color. -
A piece of coral, usually fitted with small bells and other appurtenances, used by children as a plaything.