cyma

[ sahy-muh ]

noun,plural cy·mae [sahy-mee], /ˈsaɪ mi/, cy·mas.
  1. Architecture. either of two moldings having a partly convex and partly concave curve for an outline: used especially in classical architecture.: Compare cyma recta, cyma reversa.

  2. Botany. a cyme.

Origin of cyma

1
1555–65; <New Latin <Greek kŷma something swollen, a wave, wavy molding, sprout, equivalent to (ein) to be pregnant + -ma noun suffix

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British Dictionary definitions for cyma

cyma

/ (ˈsaɪmə) /


nounplural -mae (-miː) or -mas
  1. either of two mouldings having a double curve, part concave and part convex. Cyma recta has the convex part nearer the wall and cyma reversa has the concave part nearer the wall

  2. botany a rare variant of cyme

Origin of cyma

1
C16: from New Latin, from Greek kuma something swollen, from kuein to be pregnant

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