lycopodium

noun

ly·​co·​po·​di·​um ˌlī-kə-ˈpō-dē-əm 

1

: any of a large genus (Lycopodium) of erect or creeping club mosses with reduced or scalelike evergreen leaves

2

: a fine yellowish flammable powder composed of lycopodium spores and used especially in pharmacy

Examples of lycopodium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Get some lycopodium powder, a 50 Hz speaker, and a macro lens. —Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2013

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek lykos wolf + podion, diminutive of pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lycopodium

noun

ly·​co·​po·​di·​um ˌlī-kə-ˈpōd-ē-əm 

: any of a large genus of club mosses that grow upward or creep on the ground and have small or scalelike evergreen leaves

Medical Definition

lycopodium

noun

ly·​co·​po·​di·​um ˌlī-kə-ˈpōd-ē-əm 

1

a

capitalized : a large genus of erect or creeping club mosses with reduced or scalelike evergreen leaves

b

: any club moss of the genus Lycopodium

2

: a fine yellowish flammable powder composed of lycopodium spores and used as a dusting powder for the skin and for the surface of hand-rolled pills