holothurian

[ hol-uh-thoor-ee-uhn, hoh-luh- ]

noun

1. any echinoderm of the class Holothuroidea, comprising the sea cucumbers.

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Holothuroidea.

holothurian

/ ˌhɒləˈθjʊərɪən /

noun

1. any echinoderm of the class Holothuroidea, including the sea cucumbers, having a leathery elongated body with a ring of tentacles around the mouth

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Holothuroidea

holothurian

/ hŏl′ə-thr′ē-ən,hō′lə- /

1. Any of various echinoderms of the class Holothuroidea, characterized by elongated bodies with tentacles around the mouth and five rows of tube feet. Holothurians are softer than other echinoderms because they lack spines and the skeleton is greatly reduced. Holothurians can extrude their internal organs to distract predators and grow a new set within a few weeks.
2. Also called sea cucumber

Word History and Origins

Origin of holothurian¹

1835–45; < New Latin Holothuri ( a ) genus name (plural of Latin holothūrium < Greek holothoúrion kind of zoophyte, equivalent to holo- holo- + -thourion < ?) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of holothurian¹

C19: from New Latin Holothūria name of type genus, from Latin: water polyp, from Greek holothourion, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

This is a large purple holothurian, found in shallow water from Texas to Cape Cod.

From Project Gutenberg

The perforation so formed, becomes the micropyle of the Holothurian egg, which was first discovered by Joh.

From Project Gutenberg

The Holothurian of our coast, excelling all the rest in beauty, is the Cuvieria.

From Project Gutenberg