amphitriaene
|am-phi-tri-aene|
C2
/ˌæmfɪˈtraɪiːn/
three-pronged spicule
Etymology
Etymology Information
'amphitriaene' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'amphi-' meaning 'both' or 'on both sides' and 'triaine' meaning 'three-pronged'.
Historical Evolution
'amphi-' and 'triaine' combined in Greek to form 'amphitriaene', which was adopted into scientific terminology in English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to any three-pronged object, but in scientific contexts, it evolved to specifically denote a type of sponge spicule.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a type of spicule found in certain sponges, characterized by having three rays radiating from a central point.
The amphitriaene spicules provide structural support to the sponge.
Last updated: 2025/07/23 04:36