bocconia

1 of 2

noun

"
plural -s
: a garden plant of the genus Macleaya
especially : plume poppy

Bocconia

2 of 2
Boc·​co·​nia
bəˈkōnēə

taxonomic synonym of macleaya

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from New Latin, from Paolo Silvio Boccone †1704 Sicilian botanist + New Latin -ia -ia

Note: A Linnean genus (Species plantarum, 1753, vol. 1, p. 505), taken by Linnaeus from the Nova plantarum Americanarum genera (Paris, 1703) of the French friar and botanist Charles Plumier (1646-1704). Plumier describes Boccone as " … a noble Sicilian of Palermo, outstanding in the world of letters both for his brilliant medical and his botanical works, who, having long observed various parts of the terrestrial world, has at last embraced the Cistercian order in Florence in order to ponder celestial things" (" … Nobilis Siculus Panormitanus, præclaris Operibus tum botanicis, tum physicis toti orbi litterario præclarissimus, qui per varias mundi partes terrestria diu contemplatus, tandem cœlestia meditaturus, Florentia Cisterciensem Ordinem est amplexus") (pp. 35-36).

borrowed from New Latin, from Paolo Silvio Boccone †1704 Sicilian botanist + New Latin -ia -ia

Note: See note at bocconia entry 2

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near bocconia

Bocconia

bocconia

boce

Cite this Entry

“Bocconia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bocconia. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!