cymbidium

noun

cym·​bid·​i·​um sim-ˈbi-dē-əm 

: any of a genus (Cymbidium) of tropical Old World epiphytic orchids with showy flowers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to rows of ranunculus, there’s a rose garden, a cymbidium orchid greenhouse, and a labyrinth made of sweet peas (like a corn maze, but better smelling). —Amelia Mularz, Los Angeles Magazine, 10 Apr. 2018

The maids where given yellow cymbidium orchids to carry. —Sue Strachan, NOLA.com, 9 Feb. 2018

The guest card table vignette included tulips and cymbidium orchids. —John-john Williams Iv, baltimoresun.com, 12 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, borrowed from Greek kýmbē "cup, bowl, boat" (probably of pre-Greek substratal origin) + -idion, diminutive suffix

Note: The genus name was introduced by the Swedish botanist Olof Swartz (1760-1818) in "Dianome Epidendri Generis. Linn.," Nova Acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis, vol. 6 (1799), p. 70.

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above