echidna
The origin and history of echidna.
Etymology
Coined in scientific Latin around 1811, probably from Greek ékhidna ("snake" or "viper"); some sources also link the name to Echidna, a serpent-woman of Greek mythology, since early naturalists were unsure whether the animal was mammal or reptile.
Class of 1811
echidna first entered the language around 1811. Other words from the same year:
See the full Class of 1811 →