‖n.; pl. L. Actiniæ E. Actinias [ Latinized fr. Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;, ray. ] (Zool.) (a) An animal of the class Anthozoa, and family Actinidæ. From a resemblance to flowers in form and color, they are often called animal flowers and sea anemones. [ See Polyp. ]. (b) A genus in the family Actinidæ. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. any sea anemone or related animal.
Syn. -- actinia, actiniarian [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. 1 the order comprising sea anemones.
Syn. -- order Actiniaria, Actinaria, order Actinaria [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. any sea anemone or related animal.
Syn. -- actinia, actinian [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖n. pl. [ NL. See Hex-, and Actinia. ] (Zool.) The Anthozoa. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Hydra, and Actinia. ] (Zool.) Any species or marine hydroids, of the genus Hydractinia and allied genera. These hydroids form, by their rootstalks, a firm, chitinous coating on shells and stones, and esp. on spiral shells occupied by hermit crabs. See Illust. of Athecata. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL. See Poly-, and Actinia. ] (Zool.) An old name for those Anthozoa which, like the actinias, have numerous simple tentacles. [ 1913 Webster ]