sea nettles

1 definition found

sea nettles - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Acalephae \Ac`a*le"ph[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ?, a nettle.]
     A group of C[oe]lenterata, including the Medus[ae] or
     jellyfishes, and hydroids; -- so called from the stinging
     power they possess. Sometimes called sea nettles.
     [1913 Webster]