pyxis

[pik-sis]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pyxis ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Origin of pyxis

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

Pyxis

[pik-sis]

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. 2019

Related Words for pyxis

trunk, case, strongbox, casket, chiffonier, commode, crate, cabinet, bureau, coffer, treasury, bin, carton, receptacle, exchequer, reliquary

Examples from the Web for pyxis

Historical Examples of pyxis

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
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
The pyxis was used by women at their toilet, and the lekythos, alabastron and askos for oil and unguents.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6
Various

British Dictionary definitions for pyxis

pyxis

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

Pyxis

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