saffron

(safrən)

noun

  1. a perennial Old World plant (Crocus sativus) of the iris family, with funnel-shaped, purplish flowers having orange stigmas
  2. the dried, aromatic stigmas of this plant, used in flavoring and coloring foods, and formerly in medicine
  3. orange yellow

Origin: ME saffroun < OFr safran < ML safranum < Ar zaʼfarān

adjective

orange-yellow

See saffron in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. A corm-producing plant (Crocus sativus) native to the Old World, having purple or white flowers with orange stigmas.
    b. The dried aromatic stigmas of this plant, used to color foods and as a cooking spice and dyestuff.
  2. A moderate or strong orange yellow to moderate orange.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English safroun

Origin: , from Old French safran

Origin: , from Medieval Latin safrānum

Origin: , from Arabic za‘farān

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