pyxis

Etymology

From Latin pyxis (“small box”).

Noun

pyxis (plural pyxides)

1. A small box
2. (botany) A capsule in which the lid separates from the top of the fruit to release the seeds; a pyxidium
3. A nautical compass
4. (Christianity) The box in which ashes are stored for Ash Wednesday
5. (anatomy) acetabulum

Alternative forms

• puxis
• pixis (Medieval)

Etymology

Borrowed from Ancient Greek πυξίς (puxís).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈpyk.sis/, [ˈpʏk.sɪs]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈpik.sis/

Noun

pyxis f (genitive pyxidis); third declension

1. A small box, for holding medicines or toiletries.

References

• pyxis in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• pyxis in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• pyxis in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)
• pyxis in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Hachette
• pyxis in The Perseus Project (1999) Perseus Encyclopedia‎
• pyxis in Harry Thurston Peck, editor (1898) Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, New York: Harper & Brothers
• pyxis in William Smith et al., editor (1890) A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, London: William Wayte. G. E. Marindin