cereus

[ seer-ee-uhs ]

noun

, plural ce·re·us·es.

1. any of various plants of the genus Cereus, of the cactus family, having large, usually white, funnel-shaped flowers.
2. any of several related, similar plants, especially of the genera Hylocereus, Nyctocereus, and Selenicereus.

cereus

/ ˈsɪərɪəs /

noun

1. any tropical American cactus of the genus Cereus, esp C. jamacaru of N Brazil, which grows to a height of 13 metres (40 feet)
2. any of several similar and related cacti, such as the night-blooming cereus

Word History and Origins

Origin of cereus¹

1720–30; < New Latin, Latin cēreus wax candle, noun use of cēreus cereous

Word History and Origins

Origin of cereus¹

C18: from New Latin, from Latin cēreus a wax taper, from cēra wax

Example Sentences

Some of the most common species in cultivation are the Phyllocactus species, often called the Night-blooming Cereus.

From Project Gutenberg

Pluck them with me; they are sweet, delicate, and lustrous to look upon, even as the night-blowing cereus.

From Project Gutenberg

Systematically it belongs to the Cereus family, in which the notable Night-blooming Cereus also is naturally included.

From Project Gutenberg

Once more the night-blooming cereus oped its dank petals; and amid its murky fragrance I sank to rest.

From Project Gutenberg

But opposite the drawing-room window rose a Candelabra Cereus, thirty feet high.

From Project Gutenberg