scyphozoan

noun

scy·​pho·​zo·​an ˌsī-fə-ˈzō-ən How to pronounce scyphozoan (audio)
: any of a class (Scyphozoa) of cnidarians (such as the sea nettle) that possess a large, conspicuous, sexually-reproducing medusa typically lacking a velum and a very small, usually funnel-shaped, asexually-reproducing polyp
scyphozoan adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Scyphozoa, from Latin scyphus + New Latin -zoa

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scyphozoan was circa 1909

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scyphozoan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scyphozoan. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!