SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

Cypraea

noun
Save Word
Cy·​praea | \ sīˈprēə, sə̇ˈ- \

Definition of Cypraea

: a genus (the type of the family Cypraeidae) of gastropod mollusks comprising the typical cowries with smoothly polished often brightly colored shells covered in life by the reflected lobes of the mantle

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Cypraea

New Latin, from Latin Cypria or Late Latin Cypris, a name for Venus-Aphrodite, goddess of love, from Greek Kypris, from Kypros Cyprus, island in the Mediterranean, her reputed birthplace

Learn More About Cypraea

Dictionary Entries Near Cypraea

cyphonautes

Cypraea

Cypraeidae

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for Cypraea

Cite this Entry

“Cypraea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cypraea. Accessed 26 Jun. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

culminate

Listen to the pronunciation of culminate

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Which Word Does Not Belong?

  • one green toy robot amidst many red toy robots
  • Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games