Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Coelenterata
{ ‖
Cœ-len′te-ra
or ‖Cœ-lenˊte-ra′ta
, }Noun.
pl.
[NL., fr. Gr.
κοῖλοσ
hollow + [GREEK] intestines.] (Zool.)
A comprehensive group of Invertebrata, mostly marine, comprising the
Anthozoa
, Hydrozoa
, and Ctenophora
. The name implies that the stomach and body cavities are one. The group is sometimes enlarged so as to include the sponges.