coralline

[ kawr-uh-lin, -lahyn, kor- ]

adjective

1. composed of coral or having the structure of coral:

   coralline limestone.

2. corallike.
3. coral-colored; reddish-yellow; light yellowish-red; pinkish-yellow.

noun

1. any red algae impregnated with lime.
2. any of various corallike animals or calcareous algae.

coralline

/ ˈkɒrəˌlaɪn /

adjective

1. Alsocoralloid of, relating to, or resembling coral
2. of the colour of coral

noun

1. any of various red algae impregnated with calcium carbonate, esp any of the genus Corallina
2. any of various animals that resemble coral, such as certain sponges

Word History and Origins

Origin of coralline¹

First recorded in 1535–45, coralline is from the Late Latin word corallīnus coral red. See coral, -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of coralline¹

C16: from Late Latin corallīnus coral red, from Latin corāllium coral

Example Sentences

They found that the disease not only reduces susceptible coral populations but also diminishes crustose coralline algae, the resilient pink crust that is crucial for building reef structure.

From Science Daily

Whereas coralline algae form thin, hard crusts that are pink or whitish, peyssonnelid algae make thicker, brown or dark red crusts that are often a little squishy above a hard base.

From Science Magazine

Some scientists mistake them for coralline algae, which also form crusts on reefs but help promote growth of the living structures.

From Science Magazine

They include small size, which may reduce physiological requirements, and their ability to feed on a variety of food sources, despite preferring a diet of coralline algae.

From Science Daily

"My colleagues and I have been studying modern and fossil coralline red algae and related carbonate deposits for 15 years," says Yasufumi Iryu, a professor at Tohoku University's Department of Earth Sciences within the Graduate School of Science.

From Science Daily