asterinidae
|as-te-rin-i-dae|
/ˌæs.təˈrɪn.ɪ.diː/
family of small star-shaped sea stars
Etymology
'asterinidae' originates from New Latin, specifically the family name formed from the genus name 'Asterina' + the suffix '-idae', where 'Asterina' ultimately derives from Greek 'aster' meaning 'star'.
'asterinidae' was coined in modern biological taxonomy (19th century onward) by combining the genus name 'Asterina' with the standard family-forming suffix '-idae' (from New Latin/Greek formation), producing the family name used in English scientific usage.
Initially the root 'aster-' meant 'star' (descriptive of shape); over time the combined form 'asterinidae' came to denote specifically the taxonomic family of certain star-shaped echinoderms rather than a general 'star-like' description.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a taxonomic family (Asterinidae) of small sea stars (starfish) in the class Asteroidea, containing several genera and species often found in shallow marine habitats.
Researchers documented several species of asterinidae along the rocky intertidal zone.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/05 20:38