comatulid

[ kuh-mach-uh-lid ]

noun

1. a free-swimming, stalkless crinoid; feather star.

comatulid

/ kəˈmætjʊlɪd /

noun

1. any of a group of crinoid echinoderms, including the feather stars, in which the adults are free-swimming

Word History and Origins

Origin of comatulid¹

1880–85; < New Latin Comatulidae, equivalent to Comatul ( a ) genus name ( comate ², -ule ) + -idae -id ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of comatulid¹

C19: from New Latin Comatulidae, from Comatula type genus, from Latin comātus hairy