Pyxis
/ˈpɪk.sɪs/noun
A small box or container, especially a cylindrical box used in ancient Greece and later in Christian liturgy.
Did you know?Pyxis comes from Greek πυξίς, “box,” from πύξος (pyxos), “boxwood,” because these containers were often made of that hard, polished wood.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πυξίς (pyxis)
“a small box or casket, often made of boxwood”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πύξος (pyxos)
“boxwood”
Latin
Latin
pyxis
“a box, casket, or small container”
Middle English
English
pix
“a small container, especially for the consecrated host”
Modern English
English
pyxis
“a small box or container; in Christian use, a vessel for the Eucharist”