(nī-dar′ē-ă)

[L. Cnidaria, the phylum name, fr. cnida, cnide fr Gr. knidē, nettle]
The phylum of aquatic species of radially symmetrical animals that contain stinging cells to defend themselves or injure prey. The phylum includes the corals, sea anemones, box jellyfish, and Portuguese man-of-war species and thousands of others. The older synonym or near synonym Coelenterata is still in common, nontechnical use.
SEE: bite; SEE: sting