philodendron

[ fil-uh-den-druh n ]

/ ˌfɪl əˈdɛn drən /

noun

a tropical American climbing plant belonging to the genus Philodendron, of the arum family, usually having smooth, shiny, evergreen leaves, often used as an ornamental houseplant.

Nearby words

philly, philo, philo judaeus, philo-, philoctetes, philodendron, philography, philogyny, philol., philologian, philological

Origin of philodendron

1875–80; < New Latin < Greek, noun use of neuter of philódendros fond of trees, in reference to its climbing habit. See philo-, -dendron

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for philodendron

philodendron

/ (ˌfɪləˈdɛndrən) /

noun plural -drons or -dra (-drə)

any aroid evergreen climbing plant of the tropical American genus Philodendron: cultivated as house plants

Word Origin for philodendron

C19: New Latin from Greek: lover of trees

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for philodendron

philodendron

1837, from the Modern Latin genus name (1830), from Greek philodendron, neuter of philodendros "loving trees," from philo- "loving" (see philo-) + dendron "tree" (see dendro-). The plant so called because it clings to trees.