‖n. pl. [ NL., from Gr. zw^, on an animal + fyto`n a plant. ] (Zool.) An extensive artificial and heterogeneous group of animals, formerly adopted by many Zoologists. It included the cœlenterates, echinoderms, sponges, Bryozoa, Protozoa, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Sometimes the name is restricted to the Cœlentera, or to the Anthozoa. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. zoophyte, Gr. &unr_;; zw^, on an animal + &unr_; plant, akin to &unr_; to be born, to be. See Zodiac, and Be, v. i. ] (Zool.) (a) Any one of numerous species of invertebrate animals which more or less resemble plants in appearance, or mode of growth, as the corals, gorgonians, sea anemones, hydroids, bryozoans, sponges, etc., especially any of those that form compound colonies having a branched or treelike form, as many corals and hydroids. (b) Any one of the Zoophyta. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Cf. F. zoophytique. ] (Zool.) Of or pertaining to zoophytes. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Zoophyte + -oid. ] (Zool.) Pertaining to, or resembling, a zoophyte. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. zoophytologique. ] Of or pertaining to zoophytology; as, zoophytological observations. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Zoophyte + -logy: cf. F. zoophytologie. ] The natural history zoophytes. [ 1913 Webster ]