crinoid

American  

[krahy-noid, krin-oid] / ˈkraɪ nɔɪd, ˈkrɪn ɔɪd /

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.

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adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Crinoidea.

2. lilylike.

crinoid British  

/ 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

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Crinoidea

2. shaped like a lily

crinoid Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• crinoidal adjective
• noncrinoid adjective

Etymology

Origin of crinoid

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

Example Sentences

It is very rare to find a complete crinoid, but rather the individual discs that make up the stem - these are the St Cuthbert's beads - and often resemble polo mints.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

The "beads" are fossilised parts of the stem of a marine animal called a crinoid, but they earnt their nickname from St Cuthbert, considered the patron saint of the North of England.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

A necklace made from a crinoid fossil stem.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2025

The new species of Oxycomanthus crinoid, or feather star.

From Scientific American • Mar. 14, 2013

The clay came into notice late in the 18th century on account of the local abundance of the crinoid Apiocrinus Parkinsoni.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 4 "Bradford, William" to "Brequigny, Louis" by Various