Echinoderm
/ˈɛkɪnəˌdɜːrm/noun
An invertebrate marine animal belonging to the phylum Echinodermata, including starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers.
Did you know?Ancient Greek ἐχῖνος could mean both “hedgehog” and “sea urchin,” linking the animal’s spines directly to its scientific name.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐχῖνος (ekhînos)
“Hedgehog; also sea urchin, referring to a spiny animal”
Ancient Greek
Greek
δέρμα (dérma)
“Skin or hide”
1734
New Latin
Echinodermata
“The scientific group name formed from Greek “hedgehog” and “skin””
19th Century
Scientific English
echinoderm
“A member of the group Echinodermata”
Modern English
English
echinoderm
“A marine invertebrate such as a starfish, sea urchin, or sea cucumber”