Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

clavis

noun
Save Word
cla·​vis | \ ˈklāvə̇s, -äv- \
plural claves\ -​ˌvēz \ or clavises

Definition of clavis

: a key or glossary serving as an aid to interpretation

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 clavis

Latin

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about clavis

Statistics for clavis

Cite this Entry

“Clavis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clavis. Accessed 27 Sep. 2020.

Comments on clavis

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

rambunctious

Listen to the pronunciation of rambunctious

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

  • stylized drawing of woman pole vaulting across gap to get trophy
  • Which is a synonym of fuliginous?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

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