zoophyte

noun

zoo·​phyte ˈzō-ə-ˌfīt 

: an invertebrate animal (such as a coral or sponge) more or less resembling a plant in appearance or mode of growth

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French zoophite, zoophyte, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Greek zōóphyton, from zōo- zoo- + phytón "plant" — more at phyto-

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

zoophyte

noun

zoo·​phyte ˈzō-ə-ˌfīt 

: an invertebrate animal (as a coral or sponge) more or less resembling a plant in appearance or mode of growth