coreopsis
UK[ˌkɒrɪˈɒpsɪs]US[ˌkɔːriˈɑːpsɪs]
n
A plant of the daisy family, which is cultivated for its bright yellow, red, or pink flowers.
Morpheme Breakdown
cor
eopsis
cor
sense
eopsis
sense
Etymology
The word 'coreopsis' is a modern Latin genus name coined from Greek components. It follows a classical tradition of descriptive botanical nomenclature. The first element, koris (bedbug), was chosen because the small, dark seeds of the plant were thought to resemble the shape of a tick or bedbug. The second element, opsis (appearance), completes the meaning, resulting in a term that literally translates to "having the appearance of a bug," a direct reference to the seed's form rather than the flower's beauty.
Analysis
Structure: cor (sense) + eopsis (sense)
- cor: From Greek koris, meaning "bedbug". It functions as a root indicating a specific shape or likeness.
- eopsis: From Greek opsis, meaning "appearance" or "view". It functions as a nominal suffix.
Examples
The garden was a vibrant tapestry of color, with patches of golden coreopsis swaying in the breeze.
Coreopsis is a popular choice for wildflower meadows due to its drought tolerance and long blooming period.
She carefully collected the seeds from the dried coreopsis heads to plant next spring.