Etymology
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cycad (n.)

one of an order of gymnospermous plants, 1845, from Cycadaceae, the family name, Modern Latin, from Greek kykas, a word found in Theophrastus but now thought to be a scribal error for koikas "palm trees," accusative plural of koix, which probably is from an unknown non-Greek language. Related: Cycadaceous.

updated on June 13, 2018

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