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

Example Sentences

Trollius.—Showy ranunculaceous plants, of free growth, flowering about May and June.

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Thalictrum.—Free-growing but rather weedy ranunculaceous plants, in many cases having elegantly cut foliage.

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Helleborus.—Charming very early blooming dwarf ranunculaceous herbs.

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Nigella, nī-jel′a, n. a genus of ranunculaceous plants, with finely dissected leaves, and whitish, blue, or yellow flowers, often almost concealed by their leafy involucres—Nigella damascena, called Love-in-a-mist, Devil-in-a-bush, and Ragged Lady.

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Ado′nis, a genus of ranunculaceous plants.

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