Definition

Noun: 1. A species of water lily: Nymphaea lotus is a specific type of aquatic flowering plant. It is characterized by its white or sometimes pink-tinged flowers that float on the water's surface, supported by large, rounded leaves. It is native to regions from Egypt to southeastern Africa. 2. The white Egyptian lotus: This is the common name for Nymphaea lotus. It is historically and culturally significant, having been considered a sacred plant in ancient Egypt.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Botanists study Nymphaea lotus for its unique adaptations to aquatic environments.
  • In the pond, the beautiful Nymphaea lotus bloomed at dawn.
  • The ancient Egyptians often depicted the Nymphaea lotus in their art and architecture.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical contexts: The name is used precisely to identify this species within the Nymphaeaceae family, distinguishing it from other lotuses or water lilies like (the sacred lotus).
• In historical/cultural contexts: The term is used when discussing the plant's symbolic role in ancient Egyptian religion and daily life, where it represented creation, rebirth, and the sun.

Variants and Related Words

• White lotus: A common name for .
• Egyptian white water-lily: Another descriptive common name.
• Nymphaea: The genus to which this plant belongs, encompassing all water lilies.
• Water lily: The general term for plants in the family Nymphaeaceae.

Synonyms

• White Egyptian lotus
• Egyptian white water-lily

Related Terms (Not direct synonyms)

• Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera): A different aquatic plant often confused with . It has distinctive raised flowers and seed pods, and holds significance in Asian cultures.
• Lotus: A term that can ambiguously refer to plants in the genera or .

Noun

1. white Egyptian lotus: water lily of Egypt to southeastern Africa; held sacred by the Egyptians