saffron

[ saf-ruh n ]

/ ˈsæf rən /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR saffron ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

QUIZZES

Discover The Influence Of Portuguese On English Via This Quiz!

We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?

Question 1 of 11

Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?

owl

crow

piranha

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby saffron

safety-deposit box, safety-pin, saffian, safflower, safflower oil, saffron, safi, safid rud, safranine, safrole, saft

Origin of saffron

1150–1200; Middle English saffran, saffron Old French safran < Medieval Latin saffrānum < Arabic zaʿfarān

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for saffron

Later, around 400 BC, they invented faloodeh: rice water, vermicelli, and ice mixed with saffron and/or fruit.
An Investigation Into the Delicious Origins of Ice Cream|Andrew Romano|July 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And yet there was Saraswati, ordered to trade in the saffron robes for an orange jumpsuit.
The Fugitive Guru|Ben Crair|June 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Cheese biscuits, asparagus spears with garlic and saffron mayonnaise, and mixed salted, roasted nuts.
We Are Off to the Races!!|Lydia Brownlow|June 7, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The savory cod served by Nafisi's family was perfumed with lemon and saffron and gently sauteed.
Persian New Year Celebration With Author Azar Nafisi|Karen Fragala Smith|March 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Saffron Kulfiby Victoria Blashford-Snell and Brigitte Hafner I scream, you scream, we all scream for kulfi!
What to Eat: Indian Dinner|Cookstr.com|October 27, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Saffron is unwell, and I have insisted with him that he must see a doctor.
Beaumaroy Home from the Wars|Anthony Hope
Yes, yes, I can read it in her saffron face and in her watery eyes when we meet at the church door on Sundays.
Sir Nigel|Arthur Conan Doyle
Any information in my possession as to Mr. Saffron's affairs I shall, of course, be happy to give you.
Beaumaroy Home from the Wars|Anthony Hope
Her "animula vagula, blandula" floated all that day on the saffron and rose clouds of rising joy and fame.
The Galaxy, May, 1877|Various
I see I can make your saffron visage blanch already, Dr. Wiseman.
Sharing Her Crime|May Agnes Fleming

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

saffron

noun

QUIZZES

Words related to saffron

Words nearby saffron

Origin of saffron

Example sentences from the Web for saffron

British Dictionary definitions for saffron

noun

Word Origin for saffron