aspidistra

American  

[as-pi-dis-truh] / ˌæs pɪˈdɪs trə /

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Aspidistra, of the lily family, native to eastern Asia, especially A. eliator, having large evergreen leaves often striped with white, and grown as a houseplant.

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aspidistra British  

/ ˌæspɪˈdɪstrə /

noun

1. any Asian plant of the liliaceous genus Aspidistra , esp A. lurida, a popular house plant with long tough evergreen leaves and purplish flowers borne on the ground

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Etymology

Origin of aspidistra

1815–25; < New Latin, equivalent to aspid- (< Greek: stem of aspís shield) + -istra, extracted from Tupistra genus of liliaceous plants < Greek typís mallet + Latin -tra plural of -trum noun suffix denoting instrument

Example Sentences

The aspidistra is remembered as a foolproof potted plant for the gloomiest Victorian parlor, but Avent has brought aspidistras out into the garden as scientists have introduced them to the West.

From Washington Post • Sep. 11, 2019

When Avent started out, there were just 12 recognized species of aspidistra.

From Washington Post • Sep. 11, 2019

If you have darkness the whole day long, stick in an aspidistra.

From Washington Post • Jul. 8, 2015

On the one hand, it jabbed some good spiny cactus into the aspidistra drama of the English stage; on the other hand, it clangingly echoed a new generation's call to disorder in English life.

From Time Magazine Archive

Knocking over two delicate tables and an aspidistra, he covered the floor between them in two strides and pulled Harry into a hug that nearly cracked his newly repaired ribs.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling