safflower

[ saf-lou-er ]
/ ˈsæfˌlaʊ ər /

noun

a thistlelike composite plant, Carthamus tinctorius, native to the Old World, having finely toothed leaves and large, orange-red flower heads.
its dried florets, used medicinally or as a red dyestuff.

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Origin of safflower

1575–85; < Dutch saffloer < Middle French safleur, alteration (assimilated to safran saffron and fleur flower) of Italian asfori < Arabic aṣfar yellow

Words nearby safflower

safety valve, safety-deposit, safety-deposit box, safety-pin, saffian, safflower, safflower oil, saffron, safi, safid rud, safranine
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for safflower

British Dictionary definitions for safflower

safflower
/ (ˈsæflaʊə) /

noun

a thistle-like Eurasian annual plant, Carthamus tinctorius, having large heads of orange-yellow flowers and yielding a dye and an oil used in paints, medicines, etc: family Asteraceae (composites)
a red dye used for cotton and for colouring foods and cosmetics, or a drug obtained from the florets of this plant
Also called: false saffron

Word Origin for safflower

C16: via Dutch saffloer or German safflor from Old French saffleur, from Early Italian saffiore, of uncertain origin. Influenced by saffron, flower
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