n. & adj.
n. 1 a a hard red, pink, or white calcareous substance secreted by various marine polyps for support and habitation. b any of these usu. colonial organisms. 2 the unimpregnated roe of a lobster or scallop.
adj. 1 like coral, esp. in colour. 2 made of coral. coral island (or reef) one formed by the growth of coral. coral rag limestone containing beds of petrified corals. coral-snake any of various brightly-coloured poisonous snakes, esp. Micrurus nigrocinctus, native to Central America.
[ ME f. OF f. L corallum f. Gk korallion, prob. of Semitic orig. ]