‖ Actinozoa, n. pl. Zool.
(ˌæktɪnəʊˈzəʊə)
[mod.L. f. actino- + Gr. ζῶα pl. of ζῶον animal.]
A class of Radiated animals, comprising part of the Cœlenterata of Huxley, and of the Zoophytes of other naturalists, containing the sea-anemones and coral polypes. The sing. Actinozoon is rare.
| 1872 Nicholson Palæont. 85 Of the living groups of the Actinozoa, the Ctenophora and the Sea-anemones from their absence of hard parts, are unknown in a fossil condition. 1878 M. Foster Physiol. ii. i. §2, 224 Why the gastric membrane of the bloodless actinozoon or hydrozoon does not digest itself. |