/san'seuh vee ear"ee euh, -seuh vear"ee euh/ , n.
any plant belonging to the genus Sansevieria, of the agave family, grown as a houseplant for its stiff, sword-shaped leaves and white or yellow flowers.
[ 1795-1805; San Seviero, principality of Raimondo di Sangro (1710-71), learned Neapolitan; see -IA ]