actinia

[ak-tin-ee-uh]

noun, plural ac·tin·i·ae

[ak-tin-ee-ee] /ækˈtɪn iˌi/, ac·tin·i·as.

a sea anemone, especially of the genus Actinia.

Origin of actinia

From New Latin, dating back to 1740–50; see origin at actin-, -ia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for actinia

Historical Examples of actinia

The locomotive power of the anemone, or actinia, is very sluggish.
Harper's Young People, April 13, 1880
Various
Actinia Mesembryanthemum, partially expanded; (a) Ditto, closed.
Glaucus
Charles Kingsley
The first twelve mesenteries are disposed in couples, and do not differ from those of Actinia except in size.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2
Various
Each several coral-individual is equivalent to a single living polyp (actinia).
The Wonders of Life
Ernst Haeckel
The Actinia crassicornis, Asterias glacialis and oculata, are common.
An Account of the Bell Rock Light-House
Robert Stevenson

British Dictionary definitions for actinia

actinia

noun plural -tiniae (-ˈtɪnɪˌiː) or -tinias

any sea anemone of the genus Actinia, which are common in rock pools

Word Origin for actinia

C18: New Latin, literally: things having a radial structure. See actino-, -ia

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012