holothurian

noun

ho·​lo·​thu·​ri·​an ˌhō-lə-ˈthu̇r-ē-ən How to pronounce holothurian (audio)
-ˈthyu̇r-,
ˌhä-
holothurian adjective

Examples of holothurian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Marine invertebrates—from octopuses to hermit crabs and creatures like the bizarre holothurians—are the focus of this photography book. Tim Flannery, The New York Review of Books, 7 Mar. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holothurian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Holothuria, a sea cucumber genus (going back to Latin, plural of holothūrion, zoophyte-like sea creature of uncertain identity, borrowed from Greek holothoúrion, of obscure origin) + -an entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of holothurian was circa 1842

Dictionary Entries Near holothurian

Cite this Entry

“Holothurian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holothurian. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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