/i kuy"neuhs/ , n. , pl. echini /-nuy/ .
1. any sea urchin of the genus Echinus.
2. Archit.
a. an ovolo molding, esp. one having an outline with several radii or one carved with an egg-and-dart pattern. See illus. under molding .
b. the prominent circular molding supporting the abacus of a Doric or Tuscan capital.
c. 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.
[ 1325-75; ME echînos hedgehog, sea urchin ]