sea wasp

noun

: an extremely venomous box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) of Australia that has a bell that may reach over 11 inches (28 centimeters) in width with tentacles that may reach a length of over 78 inches (2 meters)

Among Cubomedusae, or box jellyfish, the sea wasp—Chironex fleckeri—can kill you in three minutes flat.

—Polly Shulman

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sea wasp

noun

: any of various scyphozoan jellyfishes (order or suborder Cubomedusae) of tropical waters that inflict a painful and sometimes fatal sting

called also box jellyfish