Can you tell me what "Ericacecae" means. Specifically, Erica since
that appears to be the root word, but all of it would be helpful.

The word erica is listed in Encarta as follows:
[Early 17th century. Via modern Latin, genus name, from Greek ereikç
(meaning:) heath.]
SOURCE: Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © &
(P)2003 Microsoft Corporation.

Now that we know that erica means "heath", the definition of heath
according to Merriam-Webster is:
1 a : a tract of wasteland b : an extensive area of rather level open
uncultivated land usually with poor coarse soil, inferior drainage,
and a surface rich in peat or peaty humus
2 a : any of a family (Ericaceae, the heath family) of shrubby
dicotyledonous and often evergreen plants that thrive on open barren
usually acid and ill-drained soil; especially : an evergreen subshrub
of either of two genera (Erica and Calluna) with whorls of needlelike
leaves and clusters of small flowers b : any of various plants that
resemble true heaths
SOURCE: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary

Could your word "Ericacecae" be mispelled? The word: Ericaceae is a
word used to identify a subsection of plants:
"Contains about 100 genera and 3350 species of trees, shrubs, and
herbs, distributed throughout cooler regions of both hemispheres.
Includes many important ornamentals (Rhododendron, Kalmia, etc.); many
with edible fruit (Vaccinium and Gaylussacia), some with leaves
poisonous to livestock (Kalmia, etc.), and many which grow well in
very acidic conditions (Rhododendron, Kalmia)."
http://snr.uvm.edu/www/mac/plant-id/angiosperms/ericaceae/ericaceae.html

You might also be interested in looking up this URL for further
information: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=ericas

Please let me know if you need any clarifications regarding this
answer and I will do my best to further assist you. All the best,

tisme-ga


Search Strategy:

Ericacecae
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Ericacecae

online dictionary
://www.google.com/search?q=online+dictionary

Ericaceae
://www.google.com/search?q=Ericaceae

Thanks much: that answers my question nicely.

THe Latin definition is different.  Erica, from: era,erae:  Mistress,
Lady, Lady of the House, Lady as in relation to servants... Or also
Master (another masculine word) or VERY rare, hedgehog.  ericaceae
does not appear to be a word.  Encarta Sucks

Thank you. That is an interesting definition, to be sure... not at all
what I expected. Does this mean all those girls named Erica are really
named Hedgehog? What a neat idea!!