aspidistra: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2+)Literary, historical, botanical/horticultural
Quick answer
What does “aspidistra” mean?
A type of hardy, shade-tolerant, evergreen houseplant native to East Asia, with broad, dark green, lance-shaped leaves and occasionally small, inconspicuous, purplish flowers that grow near the soil.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of hardy, shade-tolerant, evergreen houseplant native to East Asia, with broad, dark green, lance-shaped leaves and occasionally small, inconspicuous, purplish flowers that grow near the soil.
It is often used as a symbol of Victorian and Edwardian middle-class respectability, solidity, and bourgeois conservatism, especially in literature (notably in George Orwell's novel 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The plant and the literary reference are known in both varieties. The cultural connotation (Victorian respectability) may be slightly stronger in British English due to Orwell's novel being a staple of UK literary education.
Connotations
Both: durability, old-fashioned domesticity. UK: stronger association with Orwell's satire of middle-class values.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties. Slightly higher potential recognition in UK English due to literary canon.
Grammar
How to Use “aspidistra” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] aspidistra [VERB].to keep the aspidistra flyingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aspidistra” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The room had an aspidistra-like quality, dim and perpetually green.
- He rejected his family's aspidistra values.
American English
- The décor felt aspidistra, reminiscent of a great-aunt's parlour.
- She found the suburb's aspidistra conformity stifling.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism/history and botany/horticulture papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used by gardeners or in discussions of classic literature.
Technical
Used in botany/horticulture for the genus *Aspidistra* and specifically the species *Aspidistra elatior*.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aspidistra”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “aspidistra”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aspidistra”
- Misspelling: 'aspidastra', 'aspidistera'. Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable (AS-pi-dist-ra). Confusing it with 'spider' due to the 'asp-' prefix.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. *Aspidistra elatior* is a real, hardy evergreen plant native to Japan and Taiwan, commonly known as the cast-iron plant for its durability.
Orwell's 1936 novel 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' uses the plant as a central symbol of the staid, materialistic middle-class life his protagonist both despises and is drawn to.
It thrives on neglect: low to medium indirect light, infrequent watering, and tolerates poor air quality. It's called the 'cast-iron plant' for its resilience.
No, it is a very low-frequency word. It is most likely encountered in literary discussions, historical contexts, or among gardening enthusiasts interested in classic houseplants.
A type of hardy, shade-tolerant, evergreen houseplant native to East Asia, with broad, dark green, lance-shaped leaves and occasionally small, inconspicuous, purplish flowers that grow near the soil.
Aspidistra is usually literary, historical, botanical/horticultural in register.
Aspidistra: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæspɪˈdɪstrə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæspɪˈdɪstrə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “keep the aspidistra flying (to maintain a respectable, bourgeois lifestyle, often against one's ideals)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SPY disguised as a plant (ASP-ID-IST-RA). The spy is very tough and old-fashioned, like a Victorian aspidistra.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ASPIDISTRA IS BOURGEOIS RESPECTABILITY (durable, unglamorous, symbolic of conventional domestic life).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common cultural connotation of an 'aspidistra' in English literature?