echidna Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a burrowing monotreme mammal covered with spines and having a long snout and claws for hunting ants and termites; native to New Guinea
    spiny anteater; anteater.
  2. noun a burrowing monotreme mammal covered with spines and having a long snout and claws for hunting ants and termites; native to Australia
    spiny anteater; anteater.

WordNet

E*chid"na noun
Etymology
L., a viper, adder, Gr. .
Definitions
  1. (Gr. Myth.) A monster, half maid and half serpent.
  2. (Zoöl.) A genus of Monotremata found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. They are toothless and covered with spines; -- called also porcupine ant-eater, and Australian ant-eater.

Webster 1913