hortus siccus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowSpecialist / Archaic
Quick answer
What does “hortus siccus” mean?
A systematically arranged collection of dried plants.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A systematically arranged collection of dried plants; an herbarium.
In figurative use, a dry, pedantic, or lifeless collection of facts or literary excerpts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries connotations of antiquated scholarship or meticulous, perhaps overly dry, collection.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern discourse, confined to historical botanical texts or erudite figurative use.
Grammar
How to Use “hortus siccus” in a Sentence
[Subject] compiled/maintained a hortus siccus of [object]The [work] is a mere hortus siccus of [abstract nouns, e.g., quotations, facts]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hortus siccus” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The dissertation was a hortus-siccus analysis, devoid of original thought.
American English
- His approach was hortus-siccus, compiling data without synthesis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used historically in botanical literature; occasionally in literary criticism to describe a dry, unoriginal work.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Historical term in botany and taxonomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hortus siccus”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hortus siccus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hortus siccus”
- Mispronouncing 'siccus' as /ˈsaɪ.kəs/.
- Using it in contemporary contexts where 'herbarium' is expected.
- Treating it as an English compound rather than a Latin loanphrase.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a direct Latin loanphrase used in English, primarily in historical or very specialised contexts.
No, it would be obscure and pretentious. Use 'herbarium' for a plant collection or 'dry compilation' figuratively.
It translates literally to 'dry garden'.
Rarely. 'Herbarium' is the standard modern term for a collection of preserved plant specimens.
A systematically arranged collection of dried plants.
Hortus siccus is usually specialist / archaic in register.
Hortus siccus: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɔː.təs ˈsɪk.əs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɔːr.t̬əs ˈsɪk.əs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SICK (siccus) plant in a HORTicultural collection that's been dried and pressed in a book.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION IS A PRESSED/PRESERVED SPECIMEN.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern synonym for 'hortus siccus'?