Gorgonian

Any of an order (Gorgonacea) of colonial anthozoans with a horny, axial skeleton that branches, as in the sea whips, or forms an open network, as in the sea fans.

Gor*go"ni*an (?), a. [L. Gorgoneus.]

1.

Pertaining to, or resembling, a Gorgon; terrifying into stone; terrific.

The rest his look Bound with Gorgonian rigor not to move. Milton.

2. Zool.

Pertaining to the Gorgoniacea; as, gorgonian coral.

© Webster 1913.

Gor*go"ni*an, n. Zool.

One of the Gorgoniacea.

© Webster 1913.