gorgonian
noun
- any of an order (Gorgonacea) of colonial often colorful anthozoan corals that have a stiff branching skeleton and include the sea whips and sea fans
adjective
- pertaining to gorgonian corals
- of or pertaining to the Gorgon; resembling the Gorgon, or the effect of the Gorgon's look; Gorgon-like, terrible
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ɡɔːˈɡəʊ.ni.ən/ / /ɡɔɹˈɡoʊ.ni.ən/
adj
Etymology: From gorgon + -ian.
- Of or relating to the mythical gorgon; terrible or repulsive.
- Of or relating to any coral of the order Alcyonacea.
noun
Etymology: From gorgon + -ian.
- A member of the order Alcyonacea, comprising the soft corals.
“Some gorgonians, living in shallow, sunlit waters, tend to be brightly coloured – gold, purple, red – and flex softly in the currents.”