gesneriad

noun

ges·​ne·​ri·​ad ges-ˈnir-ē-ˌad How to pronounce gesneriad (audio)
: any of a family (Gesneriaceae) of tropical or subtropical herbs (such as an African violet or gloxinia) with chiefly opposite leaves and highly zygomorphic flowers

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Gesneria, genus name, from Konrad Gesner †1565 Swiss naturalist

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gesneriad was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near gesneriad

Cite this Entry

“Gesneriad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gesneriad. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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