actinia
nounUK /ækˈtɪniə/
US /ækˈtɪniə/
A sea anemone is a soft sea animal that looks like a pretty flower under the water.
We saw a bright red actinia clinging to the rock in the tide pool.
SYNONYMS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Any of a genus of sea anemones with a broad flat base that attaches to rocks.
The actinia stayed fixed to the stone even as the waves rolled in.
3. A colorful flower-like marine creature that catches small fish with its stinging tentacles.
A tiny fish swam too close to the actinia and was caught by its tentacles.
4. A genus name in the scientific classification of certain sea anemones.
Scientists grouped the specimen under the genus Actinia after studying its shape.