Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The effect, such as an increase in size, on the embryo or endosperm of a plant, resulting from fertilization with pollen of a genetically distinct variety.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun classical studies The concept of hospitality to strangers.
  • noun botany The effect that genes from pollen have on the endosperm.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[New Latin, from Greek xeniā, hospitality, from xenos, guest, stranger; see xeno–.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

New Latin, from Ancient Greek ξενία (xenia, "hospitality")

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Examples

  • The strict duties between host and guest are governed by the Greek term ‘xenia’.

    The Weary Traveler | Heretical Ideas Magazine 2009

  • At the same 1906 conference on hybridization where the word “genetics” was first adopted, he presented a paper on xenia, the effect of pollen on seeds.

    The Fruit Hunters Adam Leith Gollner 2008

  • At the same 1906 conference on hybridization where the word “genetics” was first adopted, he presented a paper on xenia, the effect of pollen on seeds.

    The Fruit Hunters Adam Leith Gollner 2008

  • At the same 1906 conference on hybridization where the word “genetics” was first adopted, he presented a paper on xenia, the effect of pollen on seeds.

    The Fruit Hunters Adam Leith Gollner 2008

  • Aristotle classifies xenia as a friendship for utility and points out that such friends do not necessarily spend much time together or even find each other's company pleasant

    Archytas Huffman, Carl 2007

  • Et cum habet plures vxores, illa cum qua dormit in nocte sedet iuxta eum in die: et oportet quod omnes aliæ veniant ad domum illam illa die ad bibendum: et ibi tenetur curia illa die: et xenia quæ deferuntur, illa deponuntur in thesauris illius dominæ.

    The iournal of frier William de Rubruquis a French man of the order of the minorite friers, vnto the East parts of the worlde. An. Dom. 1253. 2004

  • Such a relation of “guest-friendship” (xenia) was common between eminent citizens of different states; sometimes it was between an individual and a whole state (in which case the term proxenia, denoting a formalized relationship, was used; see 2.29.1, 2.85.5, 4.78.1, etc.)

    THE LANDMARK THUCYDIDES Robert B. Strassler 2003

  • Such a relation of “guest-friendship” (xenia) was common between eminent citizens of different states; sometimes it was between an individual and a whole state (in which case the term proxenia, denoting a formalized relationship, was used; see 2.29.1, 2.85.5, 4.78.1, etc.)

    THE LANDMARK THUCYDIDES Robert B. Strassler 2003

  • Et cum habet plures vxores, illa cum qua dormit in nocte sedet iuxta eum in die: et oportet quod omnes ali� veniant ad domum illam illa die ad bibendum: et ibi tenetur curia illa die: et xenia qu� deferuntur, illa deponuntur in thesauris illius domin�.

    The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation 2003

  • An aristocratic warrior class, based on birth, wealth, and military prowess, formed clans (gene), which maintained relations with each other through arranged marriages and guest-friendship (xenia), involving the ritual exchange of gifts.

    2. The Dark Ages, 1200-800 B.C.E 2001

Comments

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  • The fragile and homeless Eugenia

    Awaiting the next neomenia

    Must monthly depend

    On folks who extend

    The comfort of sheltering xenia.

    Find Eugenia's peculiar affliction explained in comments at neomenia..

    September 13, 2015

  • For more on the wretched Eugenia's woes see comments at neomenia and psychasthenia.

    December 27, 2016