echinus

[ ih-kahy-nuh s ]
/ ɪˈkaɪ nəs /

noun, plural e·chi·ni [ih-kahy-nahy] /ɪˈkaɪ naɪ/.

any sea urchin of the genus Echinus.
Architecture.
  1. an ovolo molding, especially one having an outline with several radii or one carved with an egg-and-dart pattern.
  2. the prominent circular molding supporting the abacus of a Doric or Tuscan capital.
  3. 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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weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
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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, echo boomer
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for echinus

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012