alcyonarian, a. and n.
(ˌælsɪəˈnɛərɪən)
[f. mod.L. Alcyonaria + -an.]
A. adj. Belonging to the Alcyonaria, a sub-order of Actinoid Zoophytes; see Alcyonium. B. n. A zoophyte of that group.
| 1878 Spry Cruise Challenger i. 13 Twelve gigantic alcyonarian polyps. 1880 Moseley in 19th Cent. No. 38, 617 The deep sea must be lighted here and there by greater or smaller patches of luminous alcyonarians. |