ˌmed.əˈzōə noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from meta- + -zoa
: a group that comprises all animals having the body when adult composed of numerous cells differentiated into tissues and organs and usually a digestive cavity lined with specialized cells and that is used usually to include the Coelenterata and all higher animals but sometimes is extended to include the Parazoa and Mesozoa — compare protozoa