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.
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L corallum f. Gk korallion, prob. of Semitic orig.