Zo*oph"y*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. an animal + a plant.] Zool.
An extensive artificial and heterogeneous group of animals, formerly adopted by many zoologists. It included the c&oe;lenterates, echinoderms, sponges, Bryozoa, Protozoa, etc.
⇒ Sometimes the name is restricted to the C&oe;lentera, or to the Anthozoa.
© Webster 1913.