Definition of Pyxis

1. Noun. Fruit of such plants as the plantain; a capsule whose upper part falls off when the seeds are released.

Exact synonyms: Pyxidium
Generic synonyms: Fruit

2. Noun. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Puppis and Antlia.
Group relationships: Argo
Generic synonyms: Constellation

3. Noun. A small box used by ancient Greeks to hold medicines.
Generic synonyms: Box

Definition of Pyxis

1. n. A box; a pyx.

Definition of Pyxis

1. Proper noun. (constellation) A spring constellation of the southern sky, said to resemble the compass of a ship. It is associated with the larger Argo Navis, although it was never officially part of that constellation. ¹

2. Noun. A small box ¹

3. Noun. (botany) : A capsule in which the lid separates from the top of the fruit; a pyxidium ¹

4. Noun. A nautical compass ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pyxis

1. a pyxidium [n PYXIDES] - See also: pyxidium

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pyxis

pythonlike
pythons
pyuria
pyurias
pyx
pyx chest
pyxed
pyxes
pyxidate
pyxides
pyxidia
pyxidium
pyxie
pyxies
pyxing
pyxis
pyæmia
pyæmic
pyæmiæ
pzazz
pzazzes
pœcilo-
pœcilogony
pœnal
pœnall
pœnalties
pœnalty
pœnitent
pœnitential
pœnological

Literary usage of Pyxis

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Potters' Quarter: The Pottery by Agnes Newhall Stillwell, J. L. Benson (1984)
"... unspecified 11091,1238 Honolulu, Academy of Arts: pyxis 1501 Houston ... 1870 Krakow: pyxis 1090 LAURION: pyxis 10901 Lausanne: alabastron 15591; ..."

2. Penny Cyclopaedia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge by Charles Knight (1843)
"The anterior portion of the plastron of Pyxis, which is susceptible of motion, ... By means of this sort of moveable door or lid, the Pyxis can, ..."

3. Corinthian Hellenistic Pottery by G. Roger Edwards (1975)
"The receptacle of this kind of pyxis normally has a flattened circular area on the bottom serving as the base, the one exception being 563 which has a low ..."

4. Gray's School and Field Book of Botany: Consisting of "Lessons in Botany by Asa Gray (1887)
"The Pyxis is a pod which opens by a circular horizontal line, the upper part ... Pyxis of Purslane, the lid detaching. FIG. 405. A fig-fruit when young. ..."

5. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States: Canada and the British by Nathaniel Lord Britton, Addison Brown (1898)
"Flowers in terminal spikes or heads; fruit a pyxis. i. ... Corolla-lobes spreading or reflexed in fruit, not closed over the top of the pyxis. ..."

6. The Elements of Botany for Beginners and for Schools by Asa Gray (1887)
"376. upper 401 axis or minute The Pyxis is a pod which opens by a circular ... Pyxis of Purslane, the lid detaching. FIG. 405. A fig-fruit when young. 406. ..."

7. Excavations at Phylakopi in Melos by British School at Athens, Thomas Dinham Atkinson (1904)
"One pyxis-lid of this period (picked up among the tombs) had a slightly arched roof like those from Pelos; the others were either flat, as for instance the ..."

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