CROCUS

crocus

(noun) any of numerous low-growing plants of the genus Crocus having slender grasslike leaves and white or yellow or purple flowers; native chiefly to the Mediterranean region but widely cultivated

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

crocus (plural crocuses or croci or crocus)

A perennial flowering plant (of the genus Crocus in the Iridaceae family). Saffron is obtained from the stamens of Crocus sativus.

Any of various similar flowering plants, such as the autumn crocus and prairie crocus.

(chemistry, obsolete) A deep yellow powder, the oxide of some metal (especially iron), calcined to a red or deep yellow colour.

(obsolete, slang) A fraudulent doctor; a quack.

Etymology 2

Noun

crocus (uncountable)

(Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago) Burlap.

Anagrams

• occurs, succor

Source: Wiktionary


Cro"cus (kr"ks), n. Etym: [L., saffron, fr. Gr. kark, Ar. kurkum, Skr. ku.]

1. (Bot.)

Definition: A genus of iridaceous plants, with pretty blossoms rising separately from the bulb or corm. C. vernus is one of the earliest of spring-blooming flowers; C. sativus produces the saffron, and blossoms in the autumn.

2. (Chem.)

Definition: A deep yellow powder; the oxide of some metal calcined to a red or deep yellow color; esp., the oxide of iron (Crocus of Mars or colcothar) thus produced from salts of irron, and used as a polishing powder. Crocus of Venus (Old Chem.), oxide of copper.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

31 March 2025

IMPROVISED

(adjective) done or made using whatever is available; “crossed the river on improvised bridges”; “the survivors used jury-rigged fishing gear”; “the rock served as a makeshift hammer”


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