Word Confusion: Cypress versus Cyprus

Posted December 12, 2013 by Kathy Davie in Author Resources, Self-Editing, Word Confusions, Writing

Revised as of
1 July 2023

As a member of the European Union, Cyprus probably has more rules than a grove of coniferous cypress trees has needles.

And it’s a lot easier for me [not to mention cheaper!] to decorate a cypress with tinsel, lights, and ornaments than it would be to decorate Cyprus!

Word Confusions . . .

. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.

If you found this post on “Cypress versus Cyprus” interesting, consider subscribing to KD Did It, if you’d like to track this post for future updates.

Return to top

Cypress Cyprus

Cypress Trees by tatlin is in the public domain, via Pixabay.


Satellite Image of Cyprus, January 2003, courtesy of Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC, is in the public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Part of Grammar:
Noun

Plural: cypresses

Proper Noun

Plural: Cyprus

Evergreen coniferous tree with small, rounded, woody cones and flattened shoots bearing small, scalelike leaves

It’s of the Cupressus, Chamaecyparis, and other genera; the family is Cupressaceae

  • A tree of this type, or branches from it, as a symbol of mourning
  • Used in names of similar coniferous trees of other families
An island country in southeastern Europe, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, about 50 miles (80 km) south of the Turkish coast
Examples:
The fast-growing Italian cypress is ideal for creating privacy.

The Lawson cypress can grow in both full sunlight and partial shade.

The bald cypress is the state tree of Louisiana.

The Italian countryside is divided with borders of cypress trees.

A Greek colony in ancient times, Cyprus was held by the Turks from 1571 until 1878, when it was placed under British administration.

Cypress trees may be found in graveyards in Cyprus.

History of the Word:
Middle English from the Old French cipres, which is from late Latin cypressus, from the Greek kuparissos. No one is able to agree on the origins of the island’s name.

Return to top

C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!

Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.

Return to top

Resources for Cypress versus Cyprus

Apple Dictionary.com

Return to top

Pinterest Photo Credits

Cypriot Church is in the public domain, via Pxfuel.

Kathy's KD Did It signature