actinia

[ ak-tin-ee-uh ]

/ ækˈtɪn i ə /

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

a sea anemone, especially of the genus Actinia.

Nearby words

actin filament, actin-, actinal, acting, acting area, actinia, actinian, actinic, actinic cheilitis, actinic dermatitis, actinic elastosis

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for actinia

Cut off the tentacles of an actinia, and they are replaced in a short time, and the experiment may be repeated indefinitely.
The Ocean World:|Louis Figuier
One of the most common among the many varieties of sea-anemones is the Actinia mesembryanthemum.
Harper's Young People, April 13, 1880|Various
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
The locomotive power of the anemone, or actinia, is very sluggish.
Harper's Young People, April 13, 1880|Various

The Actinia gemmacia, which is like a gorgeous sunflower, is said to be the most voracious of its kind.
Harper's Young People, April 13, 1880|Various

British Dictionary definitions for actinia

actinia

/ (ækˈtɪnɪə) /

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