1. 1. An aquatic plant (Nelumbo nucifera) native to southern Asia and Australia, having large leaves, fragrant, pinkish flowers, a broad, rounded, perforated seedpod, and fleshy rhizomes.
   2. The edible seed, leaf, or rhizome of this plant.
   3. Any of several similar or related plants, such as the water lilies Nymphaea caerula or N. lotus.
2. A representation of any of various lotuses or similar plants in Egyptian or classical sculpture, architecture, or art.
3. Any of several leguminous plants of the genus Lotus.
4. Greek Mythology.
   1. A small Mediterranean tree or shrub whose fruit was eaten by the lotus-eaters.
   2. The fruit of this plant.

[Latin lōtus, name of several plants, from Greek lōtos.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.