'Physalia' definitions:
Definition of 'Physalia'
(from WordNet)
noun
Portuguese man-of-war [syn: Physalia, genus Physalia]
Definition of 'Physalia'
From: GCIDE
- Physalia \Phy*sa"li*a\, prop. n. [NL., fr. Gr. fysalli`s a bladder, fr. fy^sa a bellows.] (Zool.) A genus of large oceanic Siphonophora which includes the Portuguese man-of-war. [1913 Webster]
- Note: It has a large air sac, or float, with a sail-like crest on its upper side. Numerous zooids of different kinds are attached to the under side of the float. Some of the zooids have very long tentacles; some have a mouth and digest food; others produce gonophores. The American species (Physalia arethusa) is brilliantly colored, the float being pink or purple, and bright blue; the zooids blue. It is noted for its virulent stinging powers, as well as for its beautiful colors, graceful motions, and its ability to sail to windward. [1913 Webster]