- coral
- early 14c., from L. corallium, from Gk. korallion; probably of Sem. origin (cf. Heb. goral "small pebble," Arabic garal "small stone"), originally just the red variety found in the Mediterranean, hence use of the word as a symbol of "red." Coral snake (1760) is so called for the red zones in its markings. Coral reef is attested from 1745.