lycopodium

noun

ly·​co·​po·​di·​um ˌlī-kə-ˈpō-dē-əm How to pronounce lycopodium (audio)
1
: any of a large genus (Lycopodium) of erect or creeping club mosses with reduced or scalelike evergreen leaves
2
: a fine yellowish flammable powder composed of lycopodium spores and used especially in pharmacy

Examples of lycopodium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Get some lycopodium powder, a 50 Hz speaker, and a macro lens. Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2013

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek lykos wolf + podion, diminutive of pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lycopodium was circa 1706

Dictionary Entries Near lycopodium

Cite this Entry

“Lycopodium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lycopodium. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

lycopodium

noun
ly·​co·​po·​di·​um ˌlī-kə-ˈpōd-ē-əm How to pronounce lycopodium (audio)
: any of a large genus of club mosses that grow upward or creep on the ground and have small or scalelike evergreen leaves

Medical Definition

lycopodium

noun
ly·​co·​po·​di·​um ˌlī-kə-ˈpōd-ē-əm How to pronounce lycopodium (audio)
1
a
capitalized : a large genus of erect or creeping club mosses with reduced or scalelike evergreen leaves
b
: any club moss of the genus Lycopodium
2
: a fine yellowish flammable powder composed of lycopodium spores and used as a dusting powder for the skin and for the surface of hand-rolled pills
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