‖Zo‐öph″y‐ta (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ζῳ̑ον an animal + φυτόν a plant.] (Zoöl.) An extensive artificial and heterogeneous group of animals, formerly adopted by many zoölogists. It included the cœlenterates, echinoderms, sponges, Bryozoa, Protozoa, etc.
☞ Sometimes the name is restricted to the Cœlentera, or to the Anthozoa.