sb. pl. Zool. [mod. L. f. ACTINO- + Gr. ζῶα pl. of ζῶον animal.] A class of Radiated animals, comprising part of the Cœlenterata of Huxley, and of the Zoophytes of other naturalists, containing the sea-anemones and coral polypes. The sing. Actinozoon is rare.
1872. Nicholson, Palæont., 85. Of the living groups of the Actinozoa, the Ctenophora and the Sea-anemones from their absence of hard parts, are unknown in a fossil condition.
1878. M. Foster, Physiol., II. i. § 2, 224. Why the gastric membrane of the bloodless actinozoon or hydrozoon does not digest itself.
