echinus

[ ih-kahy-nuhs ]

noun

, plural e·chi·ni [ih-, kahy, -nahy].

1. any sea urchin of the genus Echinus.
2. 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.

echinus

/ ɪˈkaɪnəs /

noun

1. architect an ovolo moulding between the shaft and the abacus of a Doric column
2. any of the sea urchins of the genus Echinus, such as E. esculentus ( edible sea urchin ) of the Mediterranean

Word History and Origins

Origin of echinus¹

1325–75; Middle English < Latin < Greek echînos hedgehog, sea urchin

Word History and Origins

Origin of echinus¹

C14: from Latin, from Greek ekhinos

Example Sentences

Credit: When a raindrop hits the inside of a Chrysosplenium echinus flower, it gathers speed, collects a few seeds, and jets back out of the 10-cm-tall plant, landing as far as a meter away.

From Science Magazine

The echinus, or sea-urchin, is another species of the class and order vermes, mollusca.

From Project Gutenberg

His chief work was the description of the invertebrate fossils of New York—in which he dealt with the graptolites, brachiopods, mollusca, trilobites, echini and crinoids of the Palaeozoic formations.

From Project Gutenberg

Fragment of the capital of one of the Doric columns of the pronaos or opisthodomos, including the lower part of the echinus, and the upper part of the flutings.

From Project Gutenberg

The windows of the principal story, the echinus moulding of which is handsome, have bold and enriched pediments, and the centre windows are honoured by massive balustrade balconies.

From Project Gutenberg