Definitions

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

  • noun Any of various cacti that belong to or formerly belonged to the genus Cereus, such as a night-blooming cereus.

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

  • noun Any of the genus Cereus of plants of the cactus family, natives to the Americas, from California to Chile.

Etymologies

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

[New Latin Cēreus, genus name, from Latin cēreus, candle (from its shape), from cēra, wax; see cerate.]

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word cereus.

Examples

  • "Cousin Jasper," he said, "didn't I tell you that the gardener wanted you to know that the night-blooming cereus is open just now?

    The Windy Hill 1922

  • Bacillus cereus which is found in soil and dust and was probably brought into the vehicle on the shoes of car occupants and the paws of pets was on the door handles, gear stick, car mats and also under the seats.

    TreeHugger 2010

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that although B. cereus is normally associated with food poisoning, other infections caused by these bacteria have been documented in patients with weak immune systems, including sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia and wound infections.

    Alcohol pads and swabs recalled due to bacteria contamination 2011

  • All lots of alcohol prep pads, alcohol swabs, and alcohol swabsticks have been recalled by manufacturer Triad Group of Hartland, Wisc., because they may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus.

    Alcohol pads and swabs recalled due to bacteria contamination 2011

  • Included in the populations of people at increased risk for B. cereus infection are cancer patients, intravenous drug users, or patients that have had surgery...in other words, the people who are likely to use alcohol swabs.

    Alcohol pads and swabs recalled due to bacteria contamination 2011

  • Two Japanese yard-boys were trimming hibiscus, a third was engaged expertly with the long hedge of night-blooming cereus that was shortly expectant of unfolding in its mysterious night-bloom.

    ON THE MAKALOA MAT 2010

  • Across the lawn, at the far edge, he came upon the hedge of night-blooming cereus.

    THE KANAKA SURF 2010

  • He had been using the spoon to repot his cereus peruvianus plant.

    Coming Back To Earth As A Dog 2010

  • The air has a scent of sandalwood and arsenic; a night-blooming cereus blooms on a dark path.

    FOCUS: POET-EDITORS! 2010

  • The air has a scent of sandalwood and arsenic; a night-blooming cereus blooms on a dark path.

    Archive 2010-01-01 2010

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.