Bot. [L. cypērus, -os, a kind of rush, a. Gr. κύπειρος, κύπερος (Herod.), an aromatic marsh-plant.] A large genus of endogenous plants, giving its name to the N.O. Cyperaceæ. About 700 species are described; C. longus is the Sweet Cyperus, or English Galingale, having aromatic and astringent roots.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, I. ix. (1633), 13. Cyperus Grasse hath roots somewhat like Cyperus.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Gard. Cyrus, iv. Why Fenny waters afford the hottest and sweetest plants as Calamus, Cyperus and Crowfoot.
1837. Howitt, Rur. Life, IV. i. (1862), 312. Lo! cyperus decks the ground.
