echinus
[ ih-kahy-nuhs ]
/ ɪˈkaɪ nəs /
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noun, plural e·chi·ni [ih-kahy-nahy]. /ɪˈkaɪ naɪ/.
any sea urchin of the genus Echinus.
Architecture.
- an ovolo molding, especially one having an outline with several radii or one carved with an egg-and-dart pattern.
- the prominent circular molding supporting the abacus of a Doric or Tuscan capital.
- Also called cymatium. the circular molding, usually carved with an egg-and-dart pattern, forming part of an Ionic capital between the volutes and under the balteus.
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Origin of echinus
1325–75; Middle English <Latin <Greek echînos hedgehog, sea urchin
Words nearby echinus
echinococcus cyst, echinoderm, echinodermatous, echinoid, echinulate, echinus, echium, echiurid, echiuroid, echo, echoacousia
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for echinus
echinus
/ (ɪˈkaɪnəs) /
noun plural -ni (-naɪ)
architect an ovolo moulding between the shaft and the abacus of a Doric column
any of the sea urchins of the genus Echinus, such as E. esculentus (edible sea urchin) of the Mediterranean
Word Origin for echinus
C14: from Latin, from Greek ekhinos
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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