Obelia
/oʊˈbiːliə/noun
A genus of colonial hydrozoans, often forming delicate branching marine colonies.
Did you know?Obelia was named from Greek obelía, a word related to obelós, meaning a spit or pointed stake, because the tiny colonial animals were once thought to resemble little spears or skewers.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
obelía
“a spit, skewer, or pointed stake”
Ancient Greek
Greek
obelós
“a spit or pointed object”
19th Century
New Latin
Obelia
“a scientific genus name for colonial hydrozoans”
Modern English
English
obelia
“a genus of colonial marine hydrozoans”
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