zamia

noun

za·​mia ˈzā-mē-ə How to pronounce zamia (audio)
: any of a genus (Zamia of the family Zamiaceae) of American cycads with a short thick woody base, a crown of palmlike leaves, and oblong cones

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin zamiae nuces, false manuscript reading for azaniae nuces pine nuts

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zamia was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near zamia

Cite this Entry

“Zamia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zamia. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on zamia

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!