pilea

[ pahy-lee-uh, pil-ee-uh ]

/ ˈpaɪ li ə, ˈpɪl i ə /

noun

any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Pilea, of the nettle family, many species of which are cultivated for their ornamental foliage.

Words nearby pilea

pile into, pile shoe, pile up, pile-driver, pile-on, pilea, pileate, pileated, pileated woodpecker, piled, pileolated

Origin of pilea

< New Latin (1821), coinage based on Latin pīleus, pilleus skullcap (see pileus, -a²); orig. so called because one of the three sepals forms a hood over the fruit

Definition for pilea (2 of 2)

pileum

[ pahy-lee-uh m, pil-ee- ]

/ ˈpaɪ li əm, ˈpɪl i- /

noun, plural pi·le·a [pahy-lee-uh, pil-ee-uh] /ˈpaɪ li ə, ˈpɪl i ə/.

the top of the head of a bird, from the base of the bill to the nape.

Origin of pileum

1870–75; < New Latin, special use of Latin pīleum, variant of pīleus skullcap

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for pilea (1 of 2)

pilea

/ (ˈpɪlɪə) /

noun

any plant of the tropical annual or perennial genus Pilea, esp P. muscosa, the artillery or gunpowder plant, which releases a cloud of pollen when shaken; some others are grown for their ornamental foliage: family Urticaceae

Word Origin for pilea

New Latin, from Greek pilos cap (from the shape of the segments of the perianth)

British Dictionary definitions for pilea (2 of 2)

pileum

/ (ˈpaɪlɪəm, ˈpɪl-) /

noun plural -lea (-lɪə)

the top of a bird's head from the base of the bill to the occiput

Word Origin for pileum

C19: New Latin, from Latin pileus

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