Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

Phaius

noun
Save Word
Phai·​us | \ ˈfīəs \

Definition of Phaius

: a genus of Asiatic orchids that are locally naturalized in tropical America and are sometimes cultivated for their large plicate leaves and showy racemose flowers

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 Phaius

New Latin, from Greek phaios dusky

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Phaius

Statistics for Phaius

Cite this Entry

“Phaius.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Phaius. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

Comments on Phaius

What made you want to look up Phaius? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

dorsal

Listen to the pronunciation of dorsal

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

  • cow coming home
  • What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

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