ASTERIOIDEA

{ ‖As‐te′ri‐oid″e‐a (�), ‖As′ter‐id″e‐a (�), } n. pl. [[NL., fr. Gr. αστερἴασ + -oid. See Asterias.]] (Zoöl.) A class of Echinodermata including the true starfishes. The rays vary in number and always have ambulacral grooves below. The body is star-shaped or pentagonal.