Definition of obelia

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< obeli

obelisk >

o·be·lia

(

-b

) KEY

NOUN:

Any of various colonial marine hydroids of the genus Obelia, having various specialized feeding and reproductive polyps and growing in a branchlike form. Colonies of obelia are found as a delicate furlike growth on the wooden piles of piers and wharves.

ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin Obelia, genus name, probably from Greek obelis, a loaf baked on a spit, from obelos, a spit

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