from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cypress \Cy"press\ (s?"pr?s), n.; pl. {Cypresses} (-?z). [OE.
cipres, cipresse, OF. cipres, F. cypr?s, L. cupressus,
cyparissus (cf. the usual Lat. form cupressus), fr. Gr. ????,
perh. of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. g?pher, Gen. vi. 14.] (Bot)
A coniferous tree of the genus {Cupressus}. The species are
mostly evergreen, and have wood remarkable for its
durability.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Among the trees called cypress are the common Oriental
cypress, {Cupressus sempervirens}, the evergreen
American cypress, {Cupressus thyoides} (now called
{Chamaecyparis sphaeroidea}), and the deciduous
American cypress, {Taxodium distichum}. As having
anciently been used at funerals, and to adorn tombs,
the Oriental species is an emblem of mourning and
sadness.
[1913 Webster]
{Cypress vine} (Bot.), a climbing plant with red or white
flowers ({Ipot[oe]a Quamoclit}, formerly {Quamoclit
vulgaris}).
[1913 Webster]