Lecythis \Lec"y*this\ (l[e^]s"[i^]*th[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 3 an oil flask.] (Bot.) A genus of gigantic trees, chiefly Brazilian, of the order {Myrtace[ae]}, having woody capsules opening by an apical lid. {Lecythis Zabucajo} yields the delicious sapucaia nuts. {Lecythis Ollaria} produces the monkey-pots, its capsules. Its bark separates into thin sheets, like paper, used by the natives for cigarette wrappers. [1913 Webster]