| 1. | any invertebrate animal of the phylum Coelenterata, including the hydras, jellyfishes, sea anemones, and corals, characterized by a single internal cavity serving for digestion, excretion, and other functions and having tentacles on the oral end. Compare cnidarian. |
| 2. | belonging or pertaining to the Coelenterata. |
coe·len·ter·ate (sĭ-lěn'tə-rāt', -tər-ĭt) n. See cnidarian. [From New Latin Coelenterāta, phylum name : Greek koilos, hollow; see -coel + enter(on) + -ate1.] coe·len·ter'ic (-těr'ĭk) adj. |