actinia

noun

ac·​tin·​ia
ak-ˈti-nē-ə
1
capitalized in some classifications : a genus of sea anemones nearly coextensive with the order Actiniaria
2
plural actiniae
ak-ˈti-nē-ˌē
or actinias : any sea anemone or related animal

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Greek aktīn-, aktís "ray, beam" + New Latin -ia -ia entry 1

First Known Use

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of actinia was in 1752

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Cite this Entry

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

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