croton

[ kroht-n ]

noun

any of numerous chiefly tropical plants constituting the genus Croton, of the spurge family, several species of which, as C. tiglium, have important medicinal properties.
(among florists) any plant of the related genus Codiaeum (or Phyllaurea) cultivated for its ornamental foliage.

Origin of croton

1745–55; <New Latin <Greek krotṓn a tick, also the castor-oil plant, which has berries likened to ticks

Words Nearby croton

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use croton in a sentence

Pierre Van Cortlandt, a distinguished revolutionary patriot, died at his seat at croton river, aged 94.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
croton quadripartitum, Labill., was observed in longitude 148 degrees.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2] | Phillip Parker King
We shall starve to death—like croton water-bugs caught in a diamond casket, said Flick, who had a taste for poetical flights.
The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson
He made no further attempt in that direction, and Washington retreated to a good position behind croton river.
The Political History of England - Vol. X. | William Hunt
Washington had been drawn down thither, and Lee, whom he left at the croton, failed to support him.
The Political History of England - Vol. X. | William Hunt

British Dictionary definitions for croton

croton

/ (ˈkrəʊtən) /

noun

any shrub or tree of the chiefly tropical euphorbiaceous genus Croton, esp C. tiglium, the seeds of which yield croton oil
any of various tropical plants of the related genus Codiaeum, esp C. variegatum pictum, a house plant with variegated foliage

Origin of croton

C18: from New Latin, from Greek krotōn tick, castor-oil plant (whose berries resemble ticks)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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