ranunculaceous

[ ruh-nuhng-kyuh-ley-shuhs ]

adjective

1. belonging to the Ranunculaceae, the buttercup family of plants.

ranunculaceous

/ rəˌnʌŋkjʊˈleɪʃəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Ranunculaceae , a N temperate family of flowering plants typically having flowers with five petals and numerous anthers and styles. The family includes the buttercup, clematis, hellebore, and columbine

Word History and Origins

Origin of ranunculaceous¹

1825–35; < New Latin Ranunculace ( ae ) name of family ( Ranuncul ( us ) genus name ( Latin rānunculus little frog; rān ( a ) frog + -unculus diminutive suffix, extracted from n-stem derivatives; homunculus ) + -aceae -aceae ) + -ous