/sear"ee euhs/ , n. , pl. cereuses .
1. any of various plants of the genus Cereus, of the cactus family, having large, usually white, funnel-shaped flowers.
2. any of several related, similar plants, esp. of the genera Hylocereus, Nyctocereus, and Selenicereus.
[ 1720-30; cereus wax candle, n. use of cereus CEREOUS ]