gorgonian Syllabification: (gor·go·ni·an)Pronunciation: /gôrˈgōnēən/ ZoologyDefinition of gorgonian noun a colonial coral of an order distinguished by a horny, treelike skeleton, including the sea fans and precious red coral. Also called horny coral.Order Gorgonacea, class Anthozoa adjective of or relating to Gorgons or gorgonians. Origin: mid 19th century: from modern Latin Gorgonia, from Latin Gorgo (see Gorgon), with reference to its petrifaction, + -angorgonian in other Oxford dictionaries Definition of gorgonian in the British & World English dictionary
