actinal

[ ak-tuh-nl, ak-tahyn-l ]

adjective

, Zoology.

1. having tentacles or rays.
2. pertaining to the oral area from which the arms or tentacles radiate.

actinal

/ ˈæktɪnəl; ækˈtaɪnəl /

adjective

1. of or denoting the oral part of a radiate animal, such as a jellyfish, sea anemone, or sponge, from which the rays, tentacles, or arms grow
2. possessing rays or tentacles, as a jellyfish

Derived Forms

• ˈactinally, adverb

Other Words From

• acti·nal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of actinal¹

1857; actin- + -al ¹; coined, with sense of actinal def 2, by Louis Agassiz

Word History and Origins

Origin of actinal¹

C19: see actino- , -al ¹

Example Sentences

Pertaining to the surface or end opposite to the mouth in a radiate animal;Ðopposed to actinal.

From Project Gutenberg