anthozoan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2-Proficiency/Technical)Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “anthozoan” mean?
Any of a large class (Anthozoa) of marine coelenterates (cnidarians) that includes the corals, sea anemones, and related forms, which are solitary or colonial polyps lacking a medusa stage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Any of a large class (Anthozoa) of marine coelenterates (cnidarians) that includes the corals, sea anemones, and related forms, which are solitary or colonial polyps lacking a medusa stage.
In a broader biological or zoological context, can refer to characteristics, structures, or evolutionary relationships pertaining to this class of animals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage is identical across scientific communities.
Connotations
Purely technical, with no regional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse, exclusive to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “anthozoan” in a Sentence
[The/An] anthozoan [verb e.g., feeds, reproduces, secretes][Scientists/Researchers] study anthozoans.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anthozoan” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The anthozoan morphology is distinct from that of hydrozoans.
- They analysed the anthozoan fossil record.
American English
- The anthozoan skeleton is composed of aragonite or calcite.
- Anthozoan phylogeny is a complex subject.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in marine biology, zoology, palaeontology, and ecology papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context for use, in species descriptions, taxonomic keys, and ecological surveys.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anthozoan”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anthozoan”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anthozoan”
- Mispronouncing the stress (stress is on the third syllable: an-tho-ZO-an).
- Using it as a general term for 'jellyfish' (incorrect; jellyfish are medusozoans).
- Misspelling as 'anthozan' or 'anthozoon'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Coral' refers to many anthozoan species that produce a hard skeleton, but 'anthozoan' is the scientific class name that also includes soft corals and sea anemones, which do not build reefs.
It would be highly unusual and probably confusing unless you are speaking with a marine biologist. Use more common terms like 'coral' or 'sea anemone' as appropriate.
Anthozoans.
Most are not dangerous. While they have stinging cells for capturing prey, few pose a significant threat to humans, with some fire corals and stinging anemones being notable exceptions that can cause painful rashes.
Any of a large class (Anthozoa) of marine coelenterates (cnidarians) that includes the corals, sea anemones, and related forms, which are solitary or colonial polyps lacking a medusa stage.
Anthozoan is usually technical/scientific in register.
Anthozoan: in British English it is pronounced /ˌanθəˈzəʊən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌænθəˈzoʊən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANTHO (flower) + ZOAN (animal) = 'flower animal', describing the often flower-like appearance of sea anemones and coral polyps.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for common metaphors. Scientifically, the body plan is sometimes metaphorically described as a 'flower' or 'cylinder'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of an anthozoan?