pyxis

1 fruit of such plants as the plantain; a capsule whose upper part falls off when the seeds are released [syn: pyxidium]

2 a constellation in the southern hemisphere near Puppis and Antlia

3 a small box used by ancient Greeks to hold medicines [also: pyxides (pl)]

see Pyxis

English

Etymology

From pyxis, a “small box”

Noun

1. A small box
2. : A capsule in which the lid separates from the top of the fruit; a pyxidium
3. A nautical compass

Synonyms

• italbrac botanical capsule: pyxidium

Translations

Latin

Alternative forms

• puxis

Etymology

From (pyxis)

Noun

1. A small box, for holding medicines or toiletries.

Related terms

• pyxidatus

Pyxis (, lang-la box) is a minor southern constellation introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille under the name Pyxis Nautica.

It is perhaps supposed to represent the compass of Argo Navis, though the Argo could hardly have had a compass, as the ancient Greeks knew nothing of compasses for navigation. Pyxis was not formerly a part of Argo Navis, thus the stars in it have their own independent Bayer designations (unlike Carina, Puppis and Vela which retained and split among themselves the Bayer designations from Argo).

It should not be confused with the constellation Circinus, which represents the type of compass used by a draftsman or cartographer.

Since it is a modern constellation, it has no independent pre-17th century mythology associated with it.

References

• Source of values: http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/
• Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

External links

• Star Tales – Pyxis