Coral

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /ˈkɔɹəl/, /ˈkɒɹəl/
• RP IPA: /ˈkɒɹəl/
• Rhymes: -ɒɹəl

Origin

From Old French coral (French corail), from Latin corallium, from Ancient Greek κοράλλιον (korallion, "coral"). Probably ultimately of Semitic origin (compare Hebrew גּוֹרָל (goral, "small pebble"), Arabic (garal, "small stone"), originally refering to the red variety found in the Mediterranean.

Full definition of coral

Noun

1. (uncountable) A hard substance made of the limestone skeletons of marine polyps.
2. (countable) A colony of marine polyps.
3. (countable) A somewhat yellowish pink colour, the colour of red coral.
4. The ovaries of a cooked lobster; so called from their colour.
5. (historical) A piece of coral, usually fitted with small bells and other appurtenances, used by children as a plaything.

Adjective

1. Made of coral.
2. Having the yellowish pink colour of coral.

Derived terms

Anagrams

• Carlo
• carol, Carol