echidna

American  

[ih-kid-nuh] / ɪˈkɪd nə /

noun

1. Also called spiny anteater.  any of several insectivorous monotremes of the genera Tachyglossus, of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, and Zaglossus, of New Guinea, that have claws and a slender snout and are covered with coarse hair and long spines.

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echidna British  

/ ɪˈkɪdnə /

noun

1. Also called: spiny anteater.  any of the spine-covered monotreme mammals of the genera Tachyglossus of Australia and Zaglossus of New Guinea: family Tachyglossidae. They have a long snout and claws for hunting ants and termites

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Etymology

Origin of echidna

< New Latin (1798), originally a genus name; Latin: serpent, Echidna a mythical creature which gave birth to the Hydra and other monsters < Greek échidna, akin to échis viper

Example Sentences

Elba plays Knuckles, an Echidna with super strength, who is adjusting after moving to Earth at the end of “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2024

The world was introduced to Knuckles, the red Echidna and guardian of Master Emerald, in 1994 when he entered "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" video game on the nostalgic Sega Genesis console.

From Fox News • Aug. 10, 2021

Echidna Walkabout tours offer one- to three-day Koala Recovery Experience trips to habitats west of Melbourne, where participants plant eucalyptus trees and learn about the importance of koalas to the ecosystem.

From Washington Post • Mar. 18, 2021

A former Ashoka fellow, several years ago we recruited her to be an Echidna Scholar, a fellowship program for global advocates for girls’ education at the Brookings Institution.

From Time • Aug. 4, 2016

“If you are the son of Poseidon,” Echidna hissed, “you would not fear water. Jump, Percy Jackson. Show me that water will not harm you. Jump and retrieve your sword. Prove your bloodline.”

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan