Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A sea urchin of the genus Echinus.
  • noun Architecture A convex molding just below the abacus of a Doric capital.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Latin echīnus, sea urchin, from Greek ekhīnos, sea urchin, hedgehog, from ekhis, adder, viper.]

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word echinus.

Examples

  • However, some of the species of succulent shrubs have a scattered distribution in the northern part of this ecoregion, most notably Euphorbia regis-jubae, E. echinus, and Senecio anteuphorbium.

    Atlantic coastal desert 2008

  • In the coming decade, the abuse of agrochemicals and uncontrolled fishing and hunting are expected to Euphorbia echinus, Euphorbia resinifera, Senecio put more pressure on the fragile ecosystems and the threatened endemic species, particularly in hotspots.

    Northern Africa and biodiversity 2008

  • Raw echinus (“kier-bang”), saline and tonic, would clear the palate for succeeding delicacies.

    The Confessions of a Beachcomber 2003

  • And indeed, why should he have thought this difficult? seeing the herb ethiopis opens all locks whatsoever, and an echinus or remora, a silly weakly fish, in spite of all the winds that blow from the thirty-two points of the compass, will in the midst of a hurricane make you the biggest first-rate remain stock still, as if she were becalmed or the blustering tribe had blown their last.

    Five books of the lives, heroic deeds and sayings of Gargantua and his son Pantagruel 2002

  • Connected with this is the ‘echinus’ (or many-plies), rough inside and laminated, and of about the same size as the reticulum.

    The History of Animals 2002

  • And indeed, why should he have thought this difficult? seeing the herb ethiopis opens all locks whatsoever, and an echinus or remora, a silly weakly fish, in spite of all the winds that blow from the thirty-two points of the compass, will in the midst of a hurricane make you the biggest first-rate remain stock still, as if she were becalmed or the blustering tribe had blown their last.

    Five books of the lives, heroic deeds and sayings of Gargantua and his son Pantagruel 2002

  • "Charity you are an echinus; harmless and pleasing to look at but very prickly."

    Two Weeks To Remember Neels, Betty 1986

  • Would the echinus ever be aware of their existence? '

    When The World Screamed Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1968

  • This echinus is a model, a prototype, of the world.

    When The World Screamed Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1968

  • 'The old man may not be so far out with his blessed echinus.'

    When The World Screamed Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1968

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • the hedging hog???

    February 7, 2012

  • L. echinus = 1. a hedgehog; 2. sea-urchin; 3. land-urchin; 4. copper vessel for the table, rinsing bowl; 5. prickly husk of a chestnut; 6. ornament under the chapiter of a Doric or Ionic column,

    July 13, 2012