corallite

[ kawr-uh-lahyt, kor- ]

noun

1. the skeleton of a single coral polyp.

corallite

/ ˈkɒrəlaɪt /

noun

1. the skeleton of a coral polyp

Word History and Origins

Origin of corallite¹

1805–15; < Latin corāll ( ium ) coral + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

A total of 1,949 coral skeletons were identified and qualitatively evaluated based on their overall preservation in terms of abrasion, presence of original corallite material, and encruster communities.

From Science Daily

But in some cases, as they grow farther apart, this continuity is broken, each corallite has its own edge-zone, and internal continuity is also broken by the formation of dissepiments within each calicle, all organic connexion between the two zooids being eventually lost.

From Project Gutenberg

B. Diagrammatic longitudinal section of a corallite, showing two platforms, p and cup-shaped tabulae, t.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Tubipondae the spicules of the proximal part of the body-wall are fused together to form a firm tube, the corallite, into which the distal part of the zooid can be retracted.

From Project Gutenberg

The corallites are connected at intervals by horizontal platforms containing solenia, and at the level of each platform the cavity of the corallite is divided by a transverse calcareous partition, either flat or cup-shaped, called a tabula.

From Project Gutenberg