ECHINUS

echinus

(noun) ovolo molding between the shaft and the abacus of a Doric column

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

echinus (plural echinuses or echini)

A sea urchin.

(architecture) The rounded moulding forming the bell of the capital of the Grecian Doric style, which is of a peculiar elastic curve.

(architecture) The quarter-round moulding (ovolo) of the Roman Doric style.

(architecture) The egg-and-anchor or egg-and-dart moulding, because often identified with the Roman Doric capital.

Anagrams

• Su-ch'ien

Source: Wiktionary


E*chi"nus, n.; pl. Echini. Etym: [L., a hedgehog, sea urchin, Gr.

1. (Zoƶl.)

Definition: A hedgehog.

2. (Zoƶl.)

Definition: A genus of echinoderms, including the common edible sea urchin of Europe.

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 Roman Doric capital. The name probably alludes to the shape of the shell of the sea urchin.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

15 April 2025

DOOMED

(adjective) marked by or promising bad fortune; ā€œtheir business venture was doomed from the startā€; ā€œan ill-fated business ventureā€; ā€œan ill-starred romanceā€; ā€œthe unlucky prisoner was again put in ironsā€- W.H.Prescott


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

An article published in Harvard Men’s Health Watch in 2012 shows heavy coffee drinkers live longer. The researchers examined data from 400,000 people and found out that men who drank six or more coffee cups per day had a 10% lower death rate.

coffee icon