pyxis
[pik-sis]
- 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
Pyxis
[pik-sis]
- the Compass, a southern constellation: one of the subordinate constellations into which Argo is now divided.
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Origin of Pyxis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for pyxis
Historical Examples
Utricle (pyxis) of Amaranth, opening all round (circumscissile).
The Elements of BotanyAsa Gray
Pyxis, Pyxidium, a pod opening round horizontally by a lid, 124.
The Elements of BotanyAsa Gray
On the left is an attendant figure of a girl holding a box (pyxis).
On the left is the hand holding a casket (pyxis) of a woman, who had been seated at the foot of the couch.
The pyxis was used by women at their toilet, and the lekythos, alabastron and askos for oil and unguents.
pyxis
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Word Origin
C14: via Latin from Greek: box
Pyxis
- an inconspicuous constellation close to Puppis that was originally considered part of the more extensive constellation Argo
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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