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saffron
[ saf-ruhn ]
/ ˈsæf rən /
See the most commonly confused word associated with safflower
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noun
Also called vegetable gold . a crocus, Crocus sativus, having showy purple flowers.
an orange-colored condiment consisting of its dried stigmas, used to color and flavor foods.
Also saffron yellow . a yellowish-orange color.
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Origin of saffron
1150–1200; Middle English saffran, saffronOld French safran<Medieval Latin saffrānum<Arabic zaʿfarān
Words nearby saffron
safety touch, safety valve, saffian, safflower, safflower oil, saffron, Safi, Safid Rud, S. Afr., safranine, S. Afr. D.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use saffron in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for saffron
saffron
/ (ˈsæfrən) /
noun
an Old World crocus, Crocus sativus, having purple or white flowers with orange stigmas
the dried stigmas of this plant, used to flavour or colour food
meadow saffron another name for autumn crocus
false saffron another name for safflower
- an orange to orange-yellow colour
- (as adjective)a saffron dress
Word Origin for saffron
C13: from Old French safran, from Medieval Latin safranum, from Arabic za'farān
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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