cereus

noun

ce·​re·​us ˈsir-ē-əs How to pronounce cereus (audio)
plural cereus also cereuses
: any of various cacti (as of the genus Cereus) of the western U.S. and tropical America

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, wax candle, from cera wax — more at cerumen

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cereus was in 1731

Phrases Containing cereus

Dictionary Entries Near cereus

Ceres

cereus

cereza

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Cereus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cereus. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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