ə̇ˈkīnəs, ēˈ-, eˈ- noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin, from Greek echinos hedgehog, sea urchin — more at anguis
1.
a. plural echi·ni -ˌnī : sea urchin
b. capitalized
[New Latin, from Latin]
: the type genus of Echinidae that comprises numerous sea urchins including the common edible European urchin ( E. esculenta )
2.
[Latin, echinus of a capital, sea urchin; probably from its shape]
a. : the rounded molding forming the bell of the capital in the Greek Doric order and having in profile a peculiar elastic curve ; also : a similar member in other orders, the Ionic having the egg-and-dart ornament
b. : a quarter-round molding
c. : egg and dart