cirio

[ sir-ee-oh ]

noun

, plural cir·i·os.

1. boojum tree.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cirio¹

< Mexican Spanish; Spanish: wax candle < Latin cēreus, noun use of cēreus made of wax, equivalent to cēr ( a ) wax + -eus -eous

Example Sentences

The plants it is named for were dubbed cirios — or candles — in Spanish, evidently because of their resemblance to tapered church candles at the missions nearby.

From Seattle Times

The plants it is named for were dubbed cirios - or candles - in Spanish, evidently because of their resemblance to tapered church candles at the missions nearby.

From Washington Times

Among the endemic plants were oddities, like the cirio itself, a tree that looks like the tentacles of a subterranean creature, rising and twisting from the parched earth.

From New York Times