em·pe·tra·ce·ae \ˌempə.ˈtrāsēˌē\noun plural Usage: capitalized Etymology: New Latin, from Empetrum, type genus + -aceae : a small family of heathlike shrubs (order Sapindales), having small diclinous flowers and drupes that resemble berries — compare crowberry 1a • em·pe·tra·ceous\| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷shəs\adjective