[ ɪ'kɪdnə ]
■ noun a spiny insectivorous egg-laying mammal with a long snout and claws, native to Australia and New Guinea. [ Tachyglossus aculeatus and Zaglossus bruijni .]
Origin
C19: mod. L., from Gk ekhidna 'viper'; cf. ekhinos 'sea urchin, hedgehog'.