echinus

[ih-kahy-nuhs]

e·chi·nus

[ih-kahy-nuhs]
noun, plural e·chi·ni [-nahy] .
1.
any sea urchin of the genus Echinus.
2.
Architecture.
a.
an ovolo molding, especially one having an outline with several radii or one carved with an egg-and-dart pattern.
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.

Origin:
1325–75; Middle English < Latin < Greek echînos hedgehog, sea urchin
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Echinus is always a great word to know.
So is atrium. Does it mean:
the landscaping and other nearby environmental features shown on a rendering of a building
a sky lit central court in a contemporary building or house; a courtyard, flanked or surrounded by porticoes, in front of an early Christian church
Collins
World English Dictionary
echinus (ɪˈkaɪnəs)
 
n , pl -ni
1.  architect an ovolo moulding between the shaft and the abacus of a Doric column
2.  any of the sea urchins of the genus Echinus, such as E. esculentus (edible sea urchin) of the Mediterranean
 
[C14: from Latin, from Greek ekhinos]

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