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Definition of vitis
vitis
/ˈvaɪ.tɪs/
Vi · tis
Plural:vites
vitis Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
13
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any deciduous woody vine of the botanical genus Vitis in the family Vitaceae, native primarily to the Northern Hemisphere and bearing dense, fragrant panicle clusters of tiny greenish-yellow blossoms that develop into grapes.
2
In ancient Rome, a staff or switch made from a grapevine branch carried by a centurion as a badge of office and an instrument for administering corporal punishment.
Example
"The Roman centurion carried a knotted vitis to signify his rank and enforce strict discipline among the legionaries."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for vitis• Rhymes for vitis
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed directly from Classical Latin 'vitis', meaning a grapevine or climbing vine, derived from the Proto-Indo-European root '*weh₁y-' (to twist or wind).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Vitis. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/vitis