\Zo"["o]*phyte\, n. [F. zoophyte, Gr. ?; zw^,on an
animal + ? plant, akin to ? to be born, to be. See {Zodiac},
and {Be}, v. i.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any one of numerous species of invertebrate animals which
    more or less resemble plants in appearance, or mode of
    growth, as the corals, gorgonians, sea anemones,
    hydroids, bryozoans, sponges, etc., especially any of
    those that form compound colonies having a branched or
    treelike form, as many corals and hydroids.
(b) Any one of the Zo["o]phyta.