Lotus

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: lo=tus

CIDE DICTIONARY

Lotus, n. [L. lotus, Gr. lwto`s. Cf. Lote.].

•  A name of several kinds of water lilies; as Nelumbium speciosum, used in religious ceremonies, anciently in Egypt, and to this day in Asia; Nelumbium luteum, the American lotus; and Nymphæa Lotus and Nymphæa cærulea, the respectively white-flowered and blue-flowered lotus of modern Egypt, which, with Nelumbium speciosum, are figured on its ancient monuments.  [1913 Webster]
•  An ornament much used in Egyptian architecture, generally asserted to have been suggested by the Egyptian water lily.  [1913 Webster]

European lotus, a small tree (Diospyros Lotus) of Southern Europe and Asia; also, its rather large bluish black berry, which is called also the date plum.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Lotus, n.
1 (in Greek mythology) a legendary plant inducing luxurious languor when eaten.
2 a any water lily of the genus Nelumbo, esp. N. nucifera of India, with large pink flowers. b this flower used symbolically in Hinduism and Buddhism.
3 an Egyptian water lily, Nymphaea lotus, with white flowers.
4 any plant of the genus Lotus, e.g. bird's foot trefoil.

Idiom

lotus-eater a person given to indolent enjoyment. lotus-land a place of indolent enjoyment. lotus position a cross-legged position of meditation with the feet resting on the thighs.

Etymology

L f. Gk lotos, of Semitic orig.