ˈkɔrəl n. & adj. --n. 1 a a
hard red,
pink, or
white calcareous substance secreted by
various marine polyps
for support and habitation. b
any of
these usu.
colonial organisms. 2
the unimpregnated roe of a
lobster or
scallop. --adj. 1 like coral,
esp. in
colour. 2
made of coral. øcoral
island (or reef)
one formed by the
growth of coral. coral rag
limestone containing beds of petrified corals. coral-snake any of various brightly-coloured poisonous snakes, esp. Micrurus nigrocinctus,
native to
Central America. [ME f. OF f. L corallum f. Gk korallion, prob. of
Semitic orig.]