aspidistra

[ as-pi-dis-truh ]

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Aspidistra, of the lily family, native to eastern Asia, especially A. eliator, having large evergreen leaves often striped with white, and grown as a houseplant.

aspidistra

/ ˌæspɪˈdɪstrə /

noun

1. any Asian plant of the liliaceous genus Aspidistra , esp A. lurida, a popular house plant with long tough evergreen leaves and purplish flowers borne on the ground

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspidistra¹

1815–25; < New Latin, equivalent to aspid- (< Greek: stem of aspís shield) + -istra, extracted from Tupistra genus of liliaceous plants < Greek typís mallet + Latin -tra plural of -trum noun suffix denoting instrument

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspidistra¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek aspis shield, on the model of Tupistra genus of liliaceous plants

Example Sentences

To complete the bouquet, there are strong green aspidistras, grown in Tokyo, and chosen to represent the host city.

From BBC

The aspidistra is remembered as a foolproof potted plant for the gloomiest Victorian parlor, but Avent has brought aspidistras out into the garden as scientists have introduced them to the West.

From Washington Post

Unlike George Orwell, these houseplant lovers see the lowly aspidistra as an aspirational totem, not a bourgeois cliché, and post money shots of their monsteras on #monsteramonday.

From New York Times

Knocking over two delicate tables and an aspidistra, he covered the floor between them in two strides and pulled Harry into a hug that nearly cracked his newly repaired ribs.

From Literature

If you have darkness the whole day long, stick in an aspidistra.

From Washington Post