How Do You Spell ECHINOID?

Pronunciation: [ˈɛt͡ʃɪnˌɔ͡ɪd] (IPA)

Echinoid is a term used for a class of marine animals that includes sea urchins and sand dollars. The word is spelled with a hard "ch" sound, as in "k" followed by an "i" sound, and the stress falls on the second syllable. In IPA phonetic transcription, this would be written as /ɛˈkaɪnɔɪd/. The "oi" diphthong is pronounced as a single sound, like "oy." The spelling "echinoid" is derived from the Greek word "ekhinos," meaning "hedgehog," which refers to the spiny appearance of these creatures.

ECHINOID Meaning and Definition

1. Echinoid is a noun that refers to any member of the class Echinoidea, which are marine invertebrate animals commonly known as sea urchins. They are characterized by a globular or flattened body covered with a hard, calcareous test, or shell, which is covered in numerous movable spines. Echinoids belong to the phylum Echinodermata, which also includes starfish, sea cucumbers, and brittle stars.

   These organisms typically inhabit the ocean floor, ranging from shallow coastal waters to deep-sea environments. The shell of an echinoid is typically round or oval, and its surface can be smooth or covered in intricate patterns. The spines, ranging in size and shape, are attached to the shell and provide protection against predators, aid in movement, and help with burrowing in sediment.

   Echinoids are characterized by a unique water vascular system, which functions in locomotion, feeding, and respiration. They possess a mouth at the center of their lower surface, surrounded by a complex jaw apparatus known as Aristotle's lantern. This structure is used for grazing on algae, detritus, and other small organisms.

   Echinoids can exhibit a wide range of colors and sizes, with some species reaching several inches in diameter. They play an important ecological role in marine ecosystems, as they help control algal growth by grazing on seaweeds and contribute to the better circulation of nutrients within sediments. Echinoids are also of significant interest to paleontologists and geologists, as their fossil records provide valuable information about ancient oceans and evolutionary history.

Common Misspellings for ECHINOID

• wchinoid
• schinoid
• dchinoid
• rchinoid
• 4chinoid
• 3chinoid
• exhinoid
• evhinoid
• efhinoid
• edhinoid
• ecginoid
• ecbinoid
• ecninoid
• ecjinoid
• ecuinoid
• ecyinoid
• echunoid
• echjnoid
• echknoid
• echonoid

Etymology of ECHINOID

The word "echinoid" is derived from the Greek word "ekhinos", meaning "hedgehog" or "sea urchin". In the context of zoology, "echinoid" refers to a group of marine animals known as echinoids that includes sea urchins and sand dollars. The name is given based on their resemblance to hedgehogs due to their spiky or prickly appearance.

Plural form of ECHINOID is ECHINOIDS