Like a medusa; having the fundamental structure of a medusa, but without a locomotive disk; -- said of the sessile gonophores of hydroids.

A sessile gonophore. See Illust. under Gonosome.

relating to or resembling a medusa

having the characteristics of a medusa. See an example. See another example. return to the top of the page return to the top of the page

(plural: medusae): free-swimming, jellyfish-like young members of the Cnidaria (the group of invertebrates which includes corals, sea anemones and jellyfish). Corals and sea anemones produce medusae as larvae, which settle and live as polyps as they mature, often in colonies. Jellyfish remain as medusae througout their life.