pyxis

[ pik-sis ]

/ ˈpɪk sɪs /

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noun, plural pyx·i·des

[pik-si-deez]. /ˈpɪk sɪˌdiz/.

Greek and Roman Antiquity. a box of a usually cylindrical shape having a lid with a knob in the center, used for toilet articles.

pyx (def. 1).

Botany. a pyxidium.

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Origin of pyxis

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin <Greek pyxís a box

Words nearby pyxis

pythonic, pyuria, pyx, pyxidium, pyxie, pyxis, Pyxis Nautica, PYY3-36, pzazz, Q, QA

Other definitions for pyxis (2 of 2)

Pyxis

[ pik-sis ]

/ ˈpɪk sɪs /

noun, genitive Pyx·i·dis

[pik-si-dis]. /ˈpɪk sɪ dɪs/. Astronomy.

the Compass, a southern constellation: one of the subordinate constellations into which Argo is now divided.

Origin of Pyxis

1680–90; <Latin <Greek pyxís a box, pyx

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use pyxis in a sentence

On the left is an attendant figure of a girl holding a box (pyxis).
A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2)|A. H. Smith
On the left is the hand holding a casket (pyxis) of a woman, who had been seated at the foot of the couch.
A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2)|A. H. Smith
Utricle (pyxis) of Amaranth, opening all round (circumscissile).
The Elements of Botany|Asa Gray
Pyxis, Pyxidium, a pod opening round horizontally by a lid, 124.
The Elements of Botany|Asa Gray

So it does in Amaranth (Fig. 387), forming a one-seeded utricular pyxis.
The Elements of Botany|Asa Gray

British Dictionary definitions for pyxis (1 of 2)

pyxis

/ (ˈpɪksɪs) /

noun plural pyxides (ˈpɪksɪˌdiːz)

a small box used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to hold medicines, etc

a rare word for pyx

another name for pyxidium

Word Origin for pyxis

C14: via Latin from Greek: box

British Dictionary definitions for pyxis (2 of 2)

Pyxis

/ (ˈpɪksɪs) /

noun Latin genitive Pyxidis (ˈpɪksɪdɪs)

an inconspicuous constellation close to Puppis that was originally considered part of the more extensive constellation Argo

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

pyxis

Origin of pyxis

Words nearby pyxis

Other definitions for pyxis (2 of 2)

Origin of Pyxis

Words related to pyxis

How to use pyxis in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pyxis (1 of 2)

Word Origin for pyxis

British Dictionary definitions for pyxis (2 of 2)