1. an ancient Greek oil flask with a narrow neck, typically used for storing perfumed oil or olive oil
Usage: archaeology; art history

Examples

• The museum displayed a beautiful red-figure lecythus from the 5th century BCE.
• Archaeologists discovered several lecythi in the ancient Greek burial site.
• The lecythus was decorated with scenes of daily life in Athens.
• Oil was poured from the narrow spout of the ceramic lecythus.
• The white-ground lecythus showed delicate paintings of mourning figures.
• Ancient Greeks often placed a lecythus filled with oil in tombs.