obelia

[ oh-beel-yuh, oh-bee-lee-uh ]

noun

1. a colonial hydroid of the genus Obelia, common in temperate seas and appearing as a delicate, mosslike growth on rocks, pilings, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of obelia¹

1865–70; < New Latin < Greek obelías a loaf toasted on a spit, equivalent to obel ( ós ) a spit ( obelisk ) + -ias noun suffix

Example Sentences

Scientists have happily given these most euphonious names—Campanularia, Obelia, and Plumularia.

From Project Gutenberg