tritoma

noun

trit·​o·​ma ˈtri-tə-mə How to pronounce tritoma (audio)
: any of a genus (Kniphofia) of African herbs of the lily family that are often grown for their spikes of showy red or yellow flowers

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Greek tritomos thrice cut, from tri- + temnein to cut; from their trimerous flowers — more at tome

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tritoma was in 1804

Dictionary Entries Near tritoma

Cite this Entry

“Tritoma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tritoma. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!