coral

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A somewhat yellowish orange-pink color; the color of red coral (Corallium rubrum) of the Mediterranean Sea, commonly used as an ornament or gem.

   The coral faded even from her lips, till they were as white as Leo's face, and quivered pitifully.

2. 2
   noun

   A piece of coral, usually fitted with small bells and other appurtenances, used by children as a plaything.

   On the very chair which I used to occupy when I was at work Marian was sitting now, with the child industriously sucking his coral upon her lap.

3. 3
   name

   A female given name from English.

   "Where are you from originally, Coral?" / "Indiana." / "Lots of Corals out there, I bet." / She hesitated, seemed about to flare, and then smiled instead, showing a little gap between two front teeth. "Well, it was Cora Lucille, I guess, " she said, still smiling, looking very much like a Cora Lucille in that moment.

4. 4
   adj

   of a strong pink to yellowish-pink color

5. 5
   noun

   marine colonial polyp characterized by a calcareous skeleton

6. 6
   noun

   a variable color averaging a deep pink

7. 7
   noun

   unfertilized lobster roe

8. 8
   noun

   the hard stony skeleton of a Mediterranean coral that has a delicate red or pink color and is used for jewelry

Etymology

From Old French coral (French corail), from Latin corallium, from Ancient Greek κοράλλιον (korállion, “coral”). Probably ultimately of Semitic origin, compare Hebrew גּוֹרָל (goral, “small pebble”), Arabic جَرَل (jaral, “small stone”), originally referring to the red variety found in the Mediterranean. Since ancient times, a common folk etymology, accepted by some earlier scholars, connected the word instead to Ancient Greek κόρη (kórē) (referring to Medusa). Beekes mentions both theories and considers the Semitic one convincing.