saffron
[saf-ruh n]
- 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.
Show More
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. 2018
Examples from the Web for saffron
Contemporary Examples
Later, around 400 BC, they invented faloodeh: rice water, vermicelli, and ice mixed with saffron and/or fruit.
The souped-up scarf comes in a Moroccan black and saffron tile print.
And yet there was Saraswati, ordered to trade in the saffron robes for an orange jumpsuit.
Cheese biscuits, asparagus spears with garlic and saffron mayonnaise, and mixed salted, roasted nuts.
The savory cod served by Nafisi's family was perfumed with lemon and saffron and gently sauteed.
Historical Examples
The yellow seeds of lilies will answer nearly the saffron's purpose.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
It will be ready an hour and a half after the saffron is in.
The Lady's Own Cookery Book, and New Dinner-Table Directory;Charlotte Campbell Bury
Pick eight ounces of English saffron very clean, cut it fine, and steep it twenty-four hours in a gallon of the best white wine.
To dye gloves to look like York tan or Limerick, put some saffron into a pint of water boiling hot, and let it infuse all night.
Take as much vinegar as will cover them, boil it with a little salt, and a pennyworth of saffron tied in a piece of muslin.
saffron
- 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
Show More
Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for saffron
n.
c.1200, from Old French safran (12c.), from Medieval Latin safranum (cf. Italian zafferano, Spanish azafran), ultimately from Arabic az-za'faran, which is of unknown origin. As a color word and an adjective, late 14c. German Safran is from French; Russian shafran' is from Arabic.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper