Etymology
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echinoderm (n.)

1834, from Modern Latin Echinodermata, name of the phylum that includes starfish and sea urchins, from Latinized form of Greek ekhinos "sea urchin," originally "porcupine, hedgehog" (see echidna) + derma (genitive dermatos) "skin," from PIE root *der- "to split, flay, peel," with derivatives referring to skin and leather. So called from its spiky shell. Related: Echinodermal.

updated on May 24, 2017

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