flora

¹

[flawr-uh, flohr-uh]

noun

plural

floras, florae 

1. the plants of a particular region or period, listed by species and considered as a whole.

2. a work systematically describing such plants.

3. plants, as distinguished from fauna.

4. the aggregate of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms normally occurring on or in the bodies of humans and other animals.

   intestinal flora.

Flora

²

[flawr-uh, flohr-uh]

noun

1. a female given name.

Flora

¹

/ ˈflɔːrə /

noun

1. the Roman goddess of flowers

flora

²

/ ˈflɔːrə /

noun

1. all the plant life of a given place or time

2. a descriptive list of such plants, often including a key for identification

3. short for intestinal flora

flora

plural

floras 

1. The plants of a particular region or time period.

2. The bacteria and other microorganisms that normally inhabit a bodily organ or part, such as the intestine.

flora

1. Plants, especially the plants of a particular place and time.

Other Word Forms

• subflora noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of flora¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from New Latin, Latin Flōra the Roman goddess of flowers (used from the 17th century in the titles of botanical works), derivative of Latin flōr- (stem of flōs ) “flower”

Word History and Origins

Origin of flora¹

C16: from Latin, from flōs flower

Origin of flora²

C18: from New Latin, from Latin Flōra goddess of flowers, from flōs _flower

Example Sentences

Visit the fenced flora today, “and it looks like a museum of native plants because they have to be protected in order to survive.”

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He says experts found that such a gas leak had the potential to destroy marine fauna and flora, reefs, algae and resources that allow fish to feed.

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But the damage caused to nearby flora will have serious repercussions for his business.

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The country's flora and fauna will feature on them all, with animals including the red squirrel, puffin and dormouse depicted.

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The verdant flora augments its cinematographic impressiveness, although set design homages to iconic futuristic thrillers, including Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” and Scott’s other classic, “Blade Runner,” are a welcome touch.

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Related Words

• vegetation