Echini

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Echinus \E*chi"nus\, n.; pl. {Echini}. [L., a hedgehog, sea
     urchin, Gr. 'echi^nos.]
     1. (Zo["o]l.) A hedgehog.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of echinoderms, including the common


        edible sea urchin of Europe.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Arch.)
        (a) The rounded molding forming the bell of the capital of
            the Grecian Doric style, which is of a peculiar
            elastic curve. See {Entablature}.
        (b) The quarter-round molding (ovolo) of the Roman Doric
            style. See Illust. of {Column}
        (c) A name sometimes given to the egg and anchor or egg
            and dart molding, because that ornament is often
            identified with the Roman Doric capital. The name
            probably alludes to the shape of the shell of the sea
            urchin.
            [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  echini
       See {echinus}

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  echinus
       n : ovolo molding between the shaft and the abacus of a Doric
           column
       [also: {echini} (pl)]