ˌsan(t)səˈvirēə noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Raimondo di Sangro died 1774 Italian scholar and prince of San Severo + New Latin -ia
1. capitalized : a genus of tropical chiefly Asiatic and African herbs (family Liliaceae) having sword-shaped leaves which are mottled or striped with various shades of green or yellow, white or yellowish flowers on jointed pedicels, a 3-celled ovary, and a 1- to 3-seeded berry — see bowstring hemp
2. or san·se·vie·ra -rə -s : any plant of the genus Sansevieria
[s]sansevie.jpg[/s]