calypso

I. noun Etymology: Latin, from Greek Kalypsō Date: 14th century 1. capitalized a sea nymph in Homer's Odyssey who keeps Odysseus seven years on the island of Ogygia 2. plural calypsos [New Latin, genus name, probably from Latin] a bulbous bog orchid (Calypso bulbosa) of northern regions bearing a single white to purplish flower II. noun (plural -sos or -soes) Etymology: Trinidad English, alteration of kaiso, perhaps ultimately of African origin; akin to eastern Caribbean English caliso, cariso satirical song Date: 1900 a style of music originating in the West Indies, marked by lively duple meter, and having lyrics that are often improvised and usually satirize local personalities and events; also a song in this style • calypsonian noun or adjective