crinoid

[ krahy-noid, krin-oid ]

noun

1. any echinoderm of the class Crinoidea, having a cup-shaped body to which are attached branched, radiating arms, comprising the sea lilies, feather stars, and various fossil forms.

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Crinoidea.
2. lilylike.

crinoid

/ ˈkraɪnɔɪd; ˈkrɪn- /

noun

1. any primitive echinoderm of the class Crinoidea, having delicate feathery arms radiating from a central disc. The group includes the free-swimming feather stars, the sessile sea lilies, and many stemmed fossil forms

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Crinoidea
2. shaped like a lily

crinoid

/ krī′noid′ /

1. Any of various marine echinoderms of the class Crinoidea. Crinoids have a cup-shaped body with five or more feathery arms and sometimes a stalk for attachment to a surface. The arms contain reproductive organs and sensory tube feet. Crinoids were common during the Paleozoic Era and are important index fossils. Sea lilies and feather stars are types of crinoids.

Derived Forms

• criˈnoidal, adjective

Other Words From

• cri·noidal adjective
• non·crinoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crinoid¹

1825–35; < Greek krinoeidḗs, equivalent to krín ( on ) lily + -oeidēs -oid

Word History and Origins

Origin of crinoid¹

C19: from Greek krinoeidēs lily-like

Example Sentences

Among the echinoderms found at the excavation site, the feather stars — marine invertebrate crinoids with feathery arms — were the rarest.

From New York Times

Ancient sea creatures - including corals, brachiopods and crinoids - deposited their shells in the sea.

From Washington Times

He studied crinoids: marine animals, related to starfish, that resemble flowers or feathers.

From Nature

For instance, on that wall you see something that’s gray and unusual looking — it’s a crinoid fossil from the Cambrian Period, which is over 500 million years ago.

From New York Times

The Hawk Eye reports that a resolution to establish the crinoid as the state fossil was introduced in the Senate by seven Democrats last week.

From Seattle Times