Cypraea

noun

Cy·​praea

sīˈprēə,

sə̇ˈ-

: a genus (the type of the family Cypraeidae) of gastropod mollusks comprising the typical cowries with smoothly polished often brightly colored shells covered in life by the reflected lobes of the mantle

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin Cypria or Late Latin Cypris, a name for Venus-Aphrodite, goddess of love, from Greek Kypris, from Kypros Cyprus, island in the Mediterranean, her reputed birthplace

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!