rəˌpād.ēˈāsēˌē noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Rapatea, type genus (probably from a native name in Guiana) + -aceae
: a family of So. American herbs (order Xyridales) somewhat resembling members of the family Juncaceae and having a greenish perianth in two series, six anthers, and numerous capitate flowers subtended by two foliaceous bracts
• ra·pa·te·a·ceous ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|āshəs adjective