janthina

noun

jan·​thi·​na

ˈjan(t) thənə

1

capitalized : the type genus of Janthinidae comprising pelagic snails of warm seas that have a thin spiral purple shell, a large head, and protrusible gills

2

plural -s : any snail of the genus Janthina

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin ianthina, feminine of ianthinus violet-blue, from Greek ianthinos, from ion violet + anthos flower

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