SAFFLOWER

safflower, false saffron, Carthamus tinctorius

(noun) thistlelike Eurasian plant widely grown for its red or orange flower heads and seeds that yield a valuable oil

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

safflower (plural safflowers)

A cultivated thistle-like plant, Carthamus tinctorius, family Asteraceae, now grown mainly for its oil.

Synonyms

• bastard saffron

Source: Wiktionary


Saf"flow`er, n. Etym: [F. safeur, safior, for safran, influenced by fleur flower. See Saffron, and Flower.]

1. (Bot.)

Definition: An annual composite plant (Carthamus tinctorius), the flowers of which are used as a dyestuff and in making rouge; bastard, or false, saffron.

2. The died flowers of the Carthamus tinctorius.

3. A dyestuff from these flowers. See Safranin (b). Oil of safflower, a purgative oil expressed from the seeds of the safflower.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

6 June 2025

PUNGENCY

(noun) wit having a sharp and caustic quality; “he commented with typical pungency”; “the bite of satire”


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