Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of crinoid: A sea lily is a marine animal belonging to the class Crinoidea. It is characterized by a flower-like appearance, with delicate, feathery arms radiating from a central body. Unlike its free-swimming relatives, the sea lily is permanently attached to the sea floor by a long, slender stalk.

Usage

• The term "sea lily" is used specifically in marine biology and zoology to describe these stalked, sessile echinoderms. It contrasts with "feather star," which refers to unstalked, free-moving crinoids.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The fossil record contains many well-preserved specimens of the sea lily.
  • Researchers used a submersible to observe a colony of sea lilies on the ocean floor.

Advanced Usage

• In Paleontology: "Sea lily" is commonly used to describe fossil crinoids, which are abundant in certain sedimentary rocks.
  • The limestone formation is rich in sea lily fossils from the Paleozoic era.

Variants and Related Words

• Crinoid (n): The broader class of echinoderms to which sea lilies and feather stars belong.
  • Crinoids have existed for hundreds of millions of years.
• Feather star (n): An unstalked, free-moving crinoid, often contrasted with the stalked sea lily.
  • Unlike the sessile sea lily, the feather star can crawl and swim.

Synonyms

• Stalked crinoid: A more technical synonym emphasizing its anatomical feature.

Notes

• While "sea lily" refers to a specific life form, it is not typically used in idioms or phrasal verbs due to its specialized scientific nature. Its usage is almost exclusively literal and descriptive within scientific contexts.

Noun

1. crinoid with delicate radiating arms and a stalked body attached to a hard surface