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Glite Dictionary
siphonophore

siphonophore

1 9.9
A sea animal made of many small animals that float as one, like the Portuguese man o' war
  • noun
  • /ˈsaɪfəˌnɔːfɔːr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sifonóforo
  • During the dive, we observed several siphonophores moving gracefully through the water like a living jellyfish colony.
  • a small siphonophore
  • a long siphonophore

Examples

  • We discovered a group of siphonophores floating near the surface, their translucent bodies shimmering in the sunlight.

  • Haydon mentally cheered Nary's control and watched Orchid swim inside the siphonophore.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • The siphonophore twisted a bit until all lines were straightened.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • A third siphonophore spoke.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Do you understand the jet-propulsion power that a 500-pound siphonophore can produce?

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Other siphonophores are taking care of Nary now.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Haydon studied the fluttering siphonophore and said what he did not want to say.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • "The other siphonophores," Orchid said, "are sympathetic but unable to understand."

    Fiction book (2001)

  • This time, Haydon was sure he saw motion toward him and a large intake of fluids by the siphonophore.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • I am too weak to lead." Nary started to back away, but a smaller siphonophore moved onto the screen and nudged Nary back.

    Fiction book (2001)

Synonyms

Siphonophora
vssiphonophore
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea animal made of many joined parts that work together as one, like the Portuguese man-of-war

is the everyday noun for the single colonial animal organism itself

Surface Forms

siphonophore singular
siphonophores plural

Morphology

siphonophore = siphon (opaque) = siphon + phore

Although built from 'siphon' + '-phore' (meaning 'bearer'), the biological sense referring to a colonial organism is not derivable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Siphonophore comes from the Greek parts siphon meaning 'tube' and -phore meaning 'bearer' or 'carrier'. Think of it as a 'tube-bearer' — a floating creature made of many tube-like parts that carry different jobs, which is why a siphonophore looks like one animal but is actually a colony working together.