echinodermatous

e·chi·no·derm

 (ĭ-kī′nə-dûrm′)

n.

Any of numerous radially symmetrical marine invertebrates of the phylum Echinodermata, which includes the starfishes, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers, having an internal calcareous skeleton and often covered with spines.

---

[From New Latin Echīnodermata, phylum name : echino- + -dermata, -skinned (from Greek derma, dermat-, skin; see -derm).]

---

e·chi′no·der′mal, e·chi′no·der′ma·tous (-dûr′mə-təs) adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.