cruciferous

Variant of crucifer

crucifer definition

cru·ci·fer (kro̵̅o̅′sə fər)

noun

  1. a person who carries a cross, as in a church procession
  2. Bot. any plant of the crucifer family

Etymology: LL(Ec) < L crux, cross + ferre, to bear; crucifersense < arrangement of flower petals in the form of a cross

adjective

designating a family (Brassicaceae, order Capparales) of dicotyledonous plants with cross-shaped flowers, pointed pods, and strong, cabbagelike odors, including cabbage, turnip, broccoli, radish, horseradish, and alyssum

Related Forms:

  • cruciferous cru·cif′·er·ous (-sif′ər əs) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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