crocus

[ kroh-kuhs ]

noun,plural cro·cus·es.
  1. any of the small, bulbous plants of the genus Crocus, of the iris family, cultivated for their showy, solitary flowers, which are among the first to bloom in the spring.

  2. the flower or bulb of the crocus.

  1. a deep yellow; orangish yellow; saffron.

  2. Also called crocus martis [mahr-tis]. /ˈmɑr tɪs/. a polishing powder consisting of iron oxide.

Origin of crocus

1
1350–1400; Middle English <Latin <Greek krókos saffron, crocus <Semitic; compare Arabic kurkum saffron

Other words from crocus

  • crocused, adjective

Words Nearby crocus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use crocus in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for crocus

crocus

/ (ˈkrəʊkəs) /


nounplural -cuses
  1. any plant of the iridaceous genus Crocus, widely cultivated in gardens, having white, yellow, or purple flowers: See also autumn crocus

  2. another name for jeweller's rouge

adjective
  1. of a saffron yellow colour

Origin of crocus

1
C17: from New Latin, from Latin crocus, from Greek krokos saffron, of Semitic origin

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