Alcyonium \Al`cy*o"ni*um\, n. [Gr. ? a zo["o]phyte, so called
from being like the halcyon's nest.] (Zool.)
A genus of fleshy Alcyonaria, its polyps somewhat resembling
flowers with eight fringed rays. The term was also formerly
used for certain species of sponges.
[1913 Webster]