Zoophyte

[Fr. zoophyte, Sp. & It. zoofito, Gr. ζωόφυτον, from ζῶον, an animal, and φυτόν, plant.] (Zoöl.) One of a certain division of animals; — a general term, applied to simple polyps, and compound individuals consisting of many polyps united together, as in most corals. They often branch like vegetation, and the polyps resemble flowers in form.

☞ The term is also often applied to sponges and corallines, in addition to the above.