Lewis & Short

† 1. ĕchīnus, i, m., = ἐχῖνος, a hedgehog, urchin.

  1. I. Prop., usually the (edible) sea-urchin, Echinus esculentus, Linn.; Varr. L. L. 5, § 77 Müll.; Afran. ap. Non. 216, 11; Plin. 9, 31, 51, § 100 sq.; Hor. Epod. 5, 28; id. S. 2, 4, 33; 2, 8, 52; id. Ep. 1, 15, 23; Petr. 69, 7.
    The land-urchin (otherwise called erinaceus), Claud. Idyll. 2, 17; cf. Isid. Orig. 12, 6, 57.
  2. II. Transf., of things having a similar shape.
    1. A. A copper vessel for the table, perh. to wash out the cups in, a rinsing-bowl, Hor. S. 1, 6, 117, v. Heindorf, ad h. l.; id. ib. 2, 8, 52.
    2. B. The prickly husk of a chestnut, Calp. Ecl. 2, 83; Pall. Insit. 155.
    3. C. In archit., an ornament under the chapiter of a Doric or Ionic column, an echinus, Vitr. 4, 3, 4; 4, 7, 3; cf. Müller, Archaeol. § 277.