Echinoderma

/ˌɛkɪnoʊˈdɜrmə/ noun

Definition

The skin or integument of spiny-skinned animals, particularly relating to the outer covering of echinoderms.

Etymology

From Greek echinos (hedgehog) + derma (skin), a compound term that became obsolete as the phylum Echinodermata was formally established in the 1800s.

Kelly Says

This word is rarely used anymore because scientists switched to the more organized name 'Echinodermata,' but understanding these word roots helps you decode thousands of scientific terms.

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