gesneriad

1 of 2

noun (1)

ges·ne·ri·ad ges-ˈnir-ē-ˌad

: any of a family (Gesneriaceae) of tropical or subtropical herbs (such as an African violet or gloxinia) with chiefly opposite leaves and highly zygomorphic flowers

gesnerad

2 of 2

noun (2)

ges·ner·ad

ˈgesnəˌrad

variants or gesneriad

geˈsnirēˌad

plural -s

: a plant of the genus Gesneria or of the family Gesneriaceae

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

New Latin Gesneria, genus name, from Konrad Gesner †1565 Swiss naturalist

Noun (2)

New Latin Gesnera or Gesneria + English -ad (kind of plant)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1882, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of gesneriad was in 1882

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gesneriad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gesneriad. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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gesneriad

noun (1)

noun (2)

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