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actinia

[ak-tin-ee-uh]
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noun, plural ac·tin·i·ae [ak-tin-ee-ee] /ækˈtɪn iˌi/, ac·tin·i·as.
  1. a sea anemone, especially of the genus Actinia.
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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

  • 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.

  • 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.

British Dictionary definitions for actinia

actinia

noun plural -tiniae (-ˈtɪnɪˌiː) or -tinias
  1. any sea anemone of the genus Actinia, which are common in rock pools
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Word Origin

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