pyxis

[ pik-sis ]

/ ˈpɪk sɪs /

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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a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.

a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.

a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.

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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

Definition 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. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for pyxis

Utricle (pyxis) of Amaranth, opening all round (circumscissile).
The Elements of Botany|Asa Gray
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
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

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

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pyxis

noun, plural pyx·i·des [pik-si-deez]. /ˈpɪk sɪˌdiz/.