fringing reefs

fringing reefs
Coral Cor"al, n. [Of. coral, F, corail, L. corallum, coralium, fr. Gr. kora`llion.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) The hard parts or skeleton of various Anthozoa, and of a few Hydrozoa. Similar structures are also formed by some Bryozoa. [1913 Webster]

Note: The large stony corals forming coral reefs belong to various genera of {Madreporaria}, and to the hydroid genus, {Millepora}. The red coral, used in jewelry, is the stony axis of the stem of a gorgonian ({Corallium rubrum}) found chiefly in the Mediterranean. The {fan corals}, {plume corals}, and {sea feathers} are species of {Gorgoniacea}, in which the axis is horny. Organ-pipe coral is formed by the genus {Tubipora}, an Alcyonarian, and {black coral} is in part the axis of species of the genus {Antipathes}. See {Anthozoa}, {Madrepora}. [1913 Webster]

2. The ovaries of a cooked lobster; -- so called from their color. [1913 Webster]

3. A piece of coral, usually fitted with small bells and other appurtenances, used by children as a plaything. [1913 Webster]

{Brain coral}, or {Brain stone coral}. See under {Brain}.

{Chain coral}. See under {Chain}.

{Coral animal} (Zo["o]l.), one of the polyps by which corals are formed. They are often very erroneously called {coral insects}.

{Coral fish}. See in the Vocabulary.

{Coral reefs} (Phys. Geog.), reefs, often of great extent, made up chiefly of fragments of corals, coral sands, and the solid limestone resulting from their consolidation. They are classed as {fringing reefs}, when they border the land; {barrier reefs}, when separated from the shore by a broad belt of water; {atolls}, when they constitute separate islands, usually inclosing a lagoon. See {Atoll}.

{Coral root} (Bot.), a genus ({Corallorhiza}) of orchideous plants, of a yellowish or brownish red color, parasitic on roots of other plants, and having curious jointed or knotted roots not unlike some kinds of coral. See Illust. under {Coralloid}.

{Coral snake}. (Zo) (a) A small, venomous, Brazilian snake {(Elaps corallinus)}, coral-red, with black bands. (b) A small, harmless, South American snake ({Tortrix scytale}).

{Coral tree} (Bot.), a tropical, leguminous plant, of several species, with showy, scarlet blossoms and coral-red seeds. The best known is {Erythrina Corallodendron}.

{Coral wood}, a hard, red cabinet wood. --McElrath. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Fringing reef — A Fringing reef is a kind of coral reef, that is located in the tropics generally immediately near the shoreline. This type of coral reef is the most common type of reef that is found. This type of reef grows the best on some kind of hard surface …   Wikipedia

  • Fringing — Fringe Fringe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fringed} (fr[i^]njd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Fringing}.] To adorn the edge of with a fringe or as with a fringe. [1913 Webster] Precipices fringed with grass. Bryant. [1913 Webster] {Fringing reef}. See {Coral reefs} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fringing reef — Fringe Fringe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fringed} (fr[i^]njd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Fringing}.] To adorn the edge of with a fringe or as with a fringe. [1913 Webster] Precipices fringed with grass. Bryant. [1913 Webster] {Fringing reef}. See {Coral reefs} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • barrier reefs — Coral Cor al, n. [Of. coral, F, corail, L. corallum, coralium, fr. Gr. kora llion.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) The hard parts or skeleton of various Anthozoa, and of a few Hydrozoa. Similar structures are also formed by some Bryozoa. [1913 Webster] Note: The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Coral reefs — Coral Cor al, n. [Of. coral, F, corail, L. corallum, coralium, fr. Gr. kora llion.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) The hard parts or skeleton of various Anthozoa, and of a few Hydrozoa. Similar structures are also formed by some Bryozoa. [1913 Webster] Note: The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Coral reef — Marine habitats Biodiversity of a coral reef Lit …   Wikipedia

  • Diving in Thailand — ‹ The template below (Cleanup spam) is being considered for deletion. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus.› Scuba diving in Thailand is very popular. Thailand has some reefs and a number of shipwrecks. The number of divers… …   Wikipedia

  • coral reef — a reef composed mainly of coral and other organic matter of which parts have solidified into limestone. [1735 45] * * * Ridge or hummock formed in shallow ocean areas from the external skeletons of corals. The skeleton consists of calcium… …   Universalium

  • Great Barrier Reef — The Great Barrier Reef * UNESCO World Heritage Site …   Wikipedia

  • Great Barrier Reef — a coral reef parallel to the coast of Queensland, in NE Australia. 1250 mi. (2010 km) long. Also called Barrier Reef. * * * Long stretch of coral reef, shoals, and islets in the Pacific Ocean, off the northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia.… …   Universalium

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