Aristotle's lantern

noun Zoology.

a complex arrangement of muscles and calcareous teeth and plates forming an eversible organ in most echinoids, functioning in mastication.

Origin of Aristotle's lantern

so called from a reference by Aristotle to a sea urchin resembling in shape certain lanterns

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