coral
nounadjectivenounverbcommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈkɒɹəl//
- United States//ˈkɔɹəl//
- Australia//ˈkɔɹəl//
Any of many species of marine invertebrates in the class Anthozoa, most of which build hard calcium carbonate skeletons and form colonies, or a colony belonging to one of those species.
noun
- 1
Any of many species of marine invertebrates in the class Anthozoa, most of which build hard calcium carbonate skeletons and form colonies, or a colony belonging to one of those species.
- 2
A hard substance made of the skeletons of these organisms.
- 3
A somewhat yellowish orange-pink color; the color of red coral (Corallium rubrum) of the Mediterranean Sea, commonly used as an ornament or gem.
The coral faded even from her lips, till they were as white as Leo's face, and quivered pitifully.
- 4
The ovaries of a cooked lobster; so called from their color.
- 5
historicalA piece of coral, usually fitted with small bells and other appurtenances, used by children as a plaything.
On the very chair which I used to occupy when I was at work Marian was sitting now, with the child industriously sucking his coral upon her lap.
Etymology
From Old French coral (French corail), from Latin corallium, from Ancient Greek κοράλλιον (korállion, “coral”). Probably ultimately of Semitic origin, compare Hebrew גּוֹרָל (goral, “small pebble”), Arabic جَرَل (jaral, “small stone”), originally referring to the red variety found in the Mediterranean. Since ancient times, a common folk etymology, accepted by some earlier scholars, connected the word instead to Ancient Greek κόρη (kórē) (referring to Medusa). Beekes mentions both theories and considers the Semitic one convincing.
adjective
- 1
Made of coral.
- 2
Having the orange-pink color of coral.
noun
- 1
Variant of corralobsoleteObsolete form of corral.
verb
- 1
Variant of corralobsoleteObsolete form of corral.
Forms
- plural
- corals
- past tense
- coraled, coralled
- past participle
- coraled, coralled
- present participle
- coraling, coralling
- third person singular
- corals
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