noun
- Plural of pyx; small ornamental or ceremonial containers, typically cylindrical, used to hold precious items or religious objects.
- In botany, plural of pyx; seed capsules of certain plants that open by a lid or cap.
Usage: Most commonly used in religious contexts, especially in Christian churches.; Also used in historical and archaeological contexts to refer to small decorative boxes.
Usage: Technical botanical term.
Examples
- The church displayed several ornate pyxides from the medieval period.
- The priest carefully placed the consecrated bread in one of the silver pyxides.
- Museum visitors admired the collection of ancient Roman pyxides made of marble and bronze.
- The botanist examined the pyxides of the plant to study its seed dispersal mechanism.
- Pyxides were commonly used in ancient times to store cosmetics and precious oils.