lotus
nouncommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈləʊtəs//
- United States//ˈloʊtəs//
Any member of the genus Nelumbo of aquatic plants in the family Nelumbonaceae.
noun
- 1
Any member of the genus Nelumbo of aquatic plants in the family Nelumbonaceae.
- 2
A water lily (Nymphaea), especially those of Egypt or India.
- 3
A legendary plant eaten by the Lotophagi of the Odyssey that caused drowsiness and euphoria.
- 4
A number of other plants bearing lotus in their scientific or common names (see Derived terms below). A date plum or Caucasian persimmon (Diospyros lotus).
- 5
A number of other plants bearing lotus in their scientific or common names (see Derived terms below). Any member of the genus Lotus, a terrestrial genus with small flowers that includes bird's-foot trefoils and deervetches.
- 6
A number of other plants bearing lotus in their scientific or common names (see Derived terms below). A lotustree or lotus jujube (Ziziphus lotus), a shrub with edible fruit.
- 7
An architectural motif of ancient Egyptian temples.
- 8
Variant of lotus positionEllipsis of lotus position.
Since the '60s ended abruptly on January 1, 1970, everyone, protestors, police and all, fell to the ground in a full lotus.
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from Latin lōtus, from Ancient Greek λωτός (lōtós). Doublet of lote. First attested in the 1540s. Ultimately from Hebrew לוֹט (lōṭ, “myrrh”, literally “covering, envelope”).
Forms
- plural
- lotuses, loti
lotus · Any member of the genus Nelumbo of aquatic plants in the family Nelumbonaceae.
Lotus · A British manufacturer of cars.Lou · A unisex given name. A diminutive of the male given name…loud · Of great intensity.