pilea

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

/ ˈpaɪ li ə, ˈpɪl i ə /

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noun

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

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of pilea

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

Words nearby pilea

pilch, pilchard, Pilcomayo, pilcrow, pile, pilea, pileate, pileated, pileated woodpecker, pile cap, piled

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pilea in a sentence

Cf. Haec mera libertas, hoc nobis pilea donant; and servos ad pileum vocare (Livy).
Cambridge|Mildred Anna Rosalie Tuker

British Dictionary definitions for pilea

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)

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