cor·al 
(kôrəl, kŏr-)
(kôrəl, kŏr-)n.
1.
a. A rocklike deposit consisting of the calcareous skeletons secreted by various marine invertebrates, chiefly anthozoans. Coral deposits often accumulate to form reefs or islands in warm seas.
b. A polyp or colony of polyps of any of the numerous anthozoans that secrete a hard or flexible skeleton, especially the reef-building hard corals.
c. A polyp or colony of polyps of any of various hydrozoans that secrete hard skeletons, such as the fire corals.
d. The hard skeleton of various corals, especially of red corals of the genus Corallium, used to make jewelry and ornaments.
e. An object made of this material.
2. A deep or strong pink to moderate red or reddish orange.
3. The unfertilized eggs of a female lobster, which turn a reddish color when cooked.
adj.
Of a deep or strong pink to moderate red or reddish orange.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin corallium, from Greek korallion.]
coraltop: brain coral
Platygyra daedalea
bottom: gorgonian coral
Paramuricea clavata
coral