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definitions

crown-of-thorns starfish

[ kroun-uh v-thawrnz ]
/ ˈkraʊn əvˈθɔrnz /

noun

a starfish, Acanthaster planci, that feeds on living coral polyps, causing erosion and destruction of coral reefs.

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Nearby words

  1. crown wheel,
  2. crown-heel length,
  3. crown-jewel option,
  4. crown-of-jewels,
  5. crown-of-thorns,
  6. crown-rump length,
  7. crownbeard,
  8. crowned,
  9. crowned head,
  10. crowner

Origin of crown-of-thorns starfish

First recorded in 1960–65
Also called crown of thorns.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019