Lecythis \Lec"y*this\ (l[e^]s"[i^]*th[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 3 an oil flask.]

(Bot.) A genus of gigantic trees, chiefly Brazilian, of the order Myrtace[ae], having woody capsules opening by an apical lid. Lecythis Zabucajo yields the delicious sapucaia nuts. L. Ollaria produces the monkey-pots, its capsules. Its bark separates into thin sheets, like paper, used by the natives for cigarette wrappers.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)