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gladiolus Definition

gladio·lus (glad′ē ōləs; also glə dīə ləs)

noun pl. -·luses or -·li′--

  1. any of a genus (Gladiolus) of plants of the iris family, with swordlike leaves, corms, and tall spikes of funnel-shaped flowers in various colors
  2. Anat. the central part of the sternum

Etymology: ModL < L, sword lily, small sword, dim. of gladius: see gladiator

gladiolus Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • grow: If you have a particular site for growing gladioli, prepare it now by double-digging and adding some well-rotted manure.

Modifies a noun

  • corm: Gladioli corms should be lifted and stored for next year.

Noun used with modifier

  • species: Try any of the species Gladiolus they are beautiful and delicate and really quite different from the loud and sometimes brash cultivated varieties.

Browse dictionary entries near gladiolus

  1. gladiola
  2. gladiator
  3. gladiate
  4. glade
  5. gladden
  6. glad rags
  7. glad hand
  8. glad
  9. glacis
  10. glaciology
  1. gladly
  2. gladness
  3. gladsome
  4. Gladstone
  5. Gladys
  6. Glagolitic
  7. glaikit
  8. glair
  9. glaive
  10. glam