zamia

[ zey-mee-uh ]

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Zamia, chiefly of tropical and subtropical America, having a short, tuberous stem and a crown of palmlike pinnate leaves.

zamia

/ ˈzeɪmɪə /

noun

1. any cycadaceous plant of the genus Zamia, of tropical and subtropical America, having a short thick trunk, palmlike leaves, and short stout cones

Word History and Origins

Origin of zamia¹

1810–20; < New Latin, misreading of Latin (Pliny) ( nucēs ) azāniae (plural) pine cone (nuts)

Word History and Origins

Origin of zamia¹

C19: from New Latin, from Latin zamiae, erroneous reading of phrase nucēs azāniae pine cones, probably from Greek azainein to dry up

Example Sentences

What I call the umbrella palm, but what they call here the cabbage palm—a sort of Zamia alsophila—grew abundantly in groups.

From Project Gutenberg

And so, provisionally at least, this Helmsdale Zamia may be regarded as specifically new.

From Project Gutenberg

Kaiber here brought in some of the nuts of the Zamia tree; they were dry and therefore in a fit state to eat.

From Project Gutenberg

On passing the last, the party emerged on to poorly grassed, desolate-looking sandstone ridges, covered with grass-tree and zamia.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of the plants speak the same language—especially the Zamia.

From Project Gutenberg