[cor.al] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L corallium, fr. Gk korallion] (14c) 1 a: the calcareous or horny skeletal deposit produced by anthozoan or rarely hydrozoan polyps; esp: a richly red precious coral secreted by a gorgonian (genus Corallium) b: a polyp or polyp colony together with its membranes and skeleton
2: a piece of coral and esp. of red coral 3 a: a bright reddish ovary (as of a lobster or scallop) b: a deep pink -- coral adj -- cor.al.loid adj