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Definition of paphiopedilum
paphiopedilum
/ˌpæfi.oʊˈpɛdɪləm/
pa · phi · o · pe · di · lum
Plural:paphiopedilums
paphiopedilum Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A terrestrial orchid of the genus Paphiopedilum, native to Southeast Asia, southern China, and the Indian Subcontinent, renowned for its distinctive, pouch-like lower petal that resembles a slipper.
Example
"The botanical garden's latest exhibition features a stunning paphiopedilum with mottled leaves and a deep burgundy pouch."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for paphiopedilum• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from New Latin, combining the Greek 'Paphos' (a city in Cyprus sacred to Aphrodite, the Roman Venus) and 'pedilon' (slipper), referencing the orchid's distinctive pouch-like lip.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Paphiopedilum. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/paphiopedilum