cereus

American  

[seer-ee-uhs] / ˈsɪər i əs /

noun

plural

cereuses

1. any of various plants of the genus Cereus, of the cactus family, having large, usually white, funnel-shaped flowers.

2. any of several related, similar plants, especially of the genera Hylocereus, Nyctocereus, and Selenicereus.

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cereus British  

/ ˈsɪərɪəs /

noun

1. any tropical American cactus of the genus Cereus, esp C. jamacaru of N Brazil, which grows to a height of 13 metres (40 feet)

2. any of several similar and related cacti, such as the night-blooming cereus

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Etymology

Origin of cereus

1720–30; < New Latin, Latin cēreus wax candle, noun use of cēreus cereous