a. and sb. [f. mod.L. Alcyonaria + -AN.] A. adj. Belonging to the Alcyonaria, a sub-order of Actinoid Zoophytes; see ALCYONIUM. B. sb. A zoophyte of that group.
1876. W. J. J. Spry, Cruise ‘Challenger,’ i. 18. Twelve gigantic alcyonarian polyps.
1880. Moseley, in 19th Cent., No. 38, 617. The deep sea must be lighted here and there by greater or smaller patches of luminous alcyonarians.
