crocus

(krō′kəs)

any of a large genus (Crocus) of spring-blooming plants of the iris family, with fleshy corms and a yellow, purple, or white flower
an orange-yellow color; saffron
powdered iron oxide used for polishing

Origin: ME < L < Gr krokos, saffron, via Sem (as in Heb karkōm, Ar kurkum, Aram kūrkāmā, saffron, crocus), ult. < Sans kuṅkumam

See crocus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. cro·cus·es or cro·ci (-sī, -kī)

a. Any of various perennial Eurasian herbs of the genus Crocus, having grasslike leaves and showy, variously colored flowers.
b. Any of several other plants, such as the autumn crocus.
A grayish to light reddish purple.
A dark red powdered variety of iron oxide, Fe₂O₃, used as an abrasive for polishing.
A coarse, loosely woven material like burlap, once used to make sacks for shipping saffron. See Regional Note at gunnysack.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, saffron

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin

Origin: , from Greek krokos

Origin: ; perhaps from a source akin to Arabic kurkum, saffron

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