Echinoid
/ˈɛkɪnɔɪd/noun
A marine animal of the class Echinoidea, including sea urchins and sand dollars.
Did you know?The Greek root behind echinoid also appears in Echidna and Echinacea, linking a sea creature, a mythical egg-laying mammal, and a medicinal flower through the image of prickly spines.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐχῖνος (ekhînos)
“Hedgehog; also a spiny sea creature such as a sea urchin”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐχῖνος + -οειδής (ekhînos + -oeidēs)
“Hedgehog-like or resembling a hedgehog”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Echinoidea
“The zoological class of spiny marine animals, including sea urchins”
19th Century
Scientific English
echinoid
“A member of the class Echinoidea”
Modern English
English
echinoid
“A sea urchin, sand dollar, or related animal”
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