A biological classification or group related to organisms with a central spiny structure, particularly referring to certain marine creatures in taxonomic studies.
From 'centre' (middle) + Greek 'echino-' (spiny, from echinos meaning sea urchin) + '-ida' (zoological suffix indicating a group or class). A technical term combining ancient biological observation with modern taxonomy.
This is the kind of scientific word that shows how biologists create names—they're literally describing what they see (spiny thing in the middle) in Greek and Latin, building a system where any scientist in the world can understand what creature you're talking about!
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