cypripedium

cyp·ri·pe·di·um  (spr-pd-m)

n.

Any of various orchids of the genus Cypripedium, such as the lady's slipper.

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[New Latin Cypripedium, genus name : Late Latin Cypris, Venus (from Greek Kupris, Aphrodite, from Kupros, Cyprus, legendary birthplace of Aphrodite) + New Latin -pedium (alteration of Greek pedilon, sandal; see ped- in Indo-European roots).]

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cypripedium [ˌsɪprɪˈpiːdɪəm]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any orchid of the genus Cypripedium, having large flowers with an inflated pouchlike lip See also lady's-slipper

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any cultivated tropical orchid of the genus Paphiopedilum, having yellow, green, or brownish-purple waxy flowers

[from New Latin, from Latin Cypria the Cyprian, that is, Venus + pēs foot (that is, Venus' slipper)]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Cypripedium - genus of chiefly American perennial leafy-stemmed orchids: lady's slippers; sometimes includes species of genus Paphiopedilum genus Cypripedium liliopsid genus, monocot genus - genus of flowering plants having a single cotyledon (embryonic leaf) in the seed family Orchidaceae, orchid family, Orchidaceae - enormous cosmopolitan family of perennial terrestrial or epiphytic plants with fleshy tubers or rootstocks and unusual flowers cypripedia - a plant or flower of the genus Cypripedium ladies' slipper, lady's slipper, lady-slipper, slipper orchid - any of several chiefly American wildflowers having an inflated pouchlike lip; difficult or impossible to cultivate in the garden