crown-of-thorns starfish
[ kroun-uh v-thawrnz ]
/ ˈkraʊn əvˈθɔrnz /
noun
a starfish, Acanthaster planci, that feeds on living coral polyps, causing erosion and destruction of coral reefs.
Also called
crown of thorns.
Origin of crown-of-thorns starfish
First recorded in 1960–65
Words nearby crown-of-thorns starfish
crown wheel,
crown-heel length,
crown-jewel option,
crown-of-jewels,
crown-of-thorns,
crown-of-thorns starfish,
crown-rump length,
crownbeard,
crowned,
crowned head,
crowner