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saxifrage

(sak′sə frij′)

noun

any of a genus (Saxifraga) of chiefly perennial plants of the saxifrage family, with small white, yellow, purple, or pinkish flowers, and with leaves massed usually at the base of the plant

Origin: ME < MFr < L saxifraga < saxum, a rock (see saxatile) + base of frangere, to break: prob. from growing in rock crevices

adjective

designating a family (Saxifragaceae, order Rosales) of dicotyledonous plants found chiefly in the North Temperate and Arctic zones, including the currants and gooseberries

See saxifrage in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of numerous herbs of the genus Saxifraga, having small, variously colored flowers and leaves that often form a basal rosette.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin (herba) saxifraga, maidenhair fern

Origin: , feminine of Latin saxifragus, rock-breaking (from its being found growing in rock crevices)

Origin: : saxum, rock; see sek- in Indo-European roots

Origin: + frangere, frag-, to break; see bhreg- in Indo-European roots

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