ˈzāmēə noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin (in feminine plural form zamiae ), MS. variant of azaniae, feminine plural of (assumed) Latin azanius, adjective, opening while still on the tree (said of a pinecone), probably from Greek azainein to dry up; akin to Greek azein to parch — more at ardor
1. capitalized : a genus of tropical and subtropical American cycads having a short thick sometimes subterranean caudex, a crown of palmlike leaves, and oblong cones — coontie
2. -s : any plant of the genus Zamia