Cypress Meaning
/ˈsaɪ.pɹəs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn evergreen coniferous tree with flattened shoots bearing small scale-like leaves, whose dark foliage is sometimes associated with mourning, in family Cupressaceae, especially the genera Cupressus and Chamaecyparis.
nounAlternative form of Cyprus (“type of fabric”).
Sentence Examples
The main type of tree in this part of the forest is the cypress.
Surrounding the house is a wall, beyond which there are cypress trees growing.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The tall ____ swayed gently in the wind near the cemetery gate.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The main type of tree in this part of the forest is the ____.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English cipres, from Old French cipres (French cyprès), from Late Latin cypressus; compare Hebrew גֹּפֶר (gōp̄er), the name of the tree whose wood was used to make the ark (Genesis. vi:14), also κύπρος (relating to aromatic pitch).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The plain appears like paradiſe reſtored, where the proud cypreſs and tall arreca ſeem walking by the margin of the paſſing ſtream.."
— 1769, Firishta, translated by Alexander Dow, Tales translated from the Persian of Inatulla of Delhi, volume I, Dublin: P. and W. Wilson et al., page iv:
"Have a tree or two the witches particularly like, such as the alder, larch, cypress and hemlock; then, to counteract any possible evil effects, there must be a holly, yew, hazel, elder, mountain ash or juniper."
— 1940, Rosetta E. Clarkson, Green Enchantments: The Magic Spell of Gardens, The Macmillan Company, page 273:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The tall ____ swayed gently in the wind near the cemetery gate.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The main type of tree in this part of the forest is the ____.