calathea

noun

cal·​a·​thea
ˌkaləˈthēə
1
capitalized : a genus of chiefly tropical American herbs (family Marantaceae) having showily marked basal leaves and small flowers in clusters on short stems and used as foliage plants
2
plural -s : any plant of the genus Calathea

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, irregular from Latin calathus basket shaped like a flower, from Greek kalathos

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 calathea

Cite this Entry

“Calathea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calathea. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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