Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

arbacia

noun
ar·​ba·​cia | \ärˈbāsēə\

Definition of arbacia 

1 capitalized : a genus of sea urchins (order Centrechinoida) having the ambulacral plates with three pairs of pores, the periproct covered by four triangular plates, the test rather low and stout, and the spines short with those near the mouth having enameled flattened tips

2 plural -s : a sea urchin of the genus Arbacia

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of arbacia

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for arbacia

borrowed from New Latin, perhaps from Arbaces, legendary ninth century b.c. Median general (borrowed from Greek Arbákēs) + -ia -ia

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about arbacia

Dictionary Entries near arbacia

a raw deal

arb

arba

arbacia

arba kanfoth

arbalest

arbalester

Statistics for arbacia

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for arbacia

The first known use of arbacia was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Comments on arbacia

What made you want to look up arbacia? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

exculpate

to clear from alleged fault or guilt

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

  • the-education-of-achilles-eugne-delacroix
  • Which is a synonym of discomfit?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games