achatina

noun

ach·​a·​ti·​na
ˌa-kə-ˈtī-nə,
-ˈtē-nə
1
capitalized : a genus (the type of the family Achatinidae) comprising very large air-breathing land snails native to Africa but introduced for food in parts of southeast Asia and the Pacific islands where they have become serious pests of agricultural crops
2
plural -s : a snail of the genus Achatina compare agate snail

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin achates agate + New Latin -ina

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of achatina was in 1806

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Cite this Entry

“Achatina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/achatina. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

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