saxifrage
[ sak-suh-frij ]
/ ˈsæk sə frɪdʒ /
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noun
any plant of the genus Saxifraga, certain species of which grow wild in the clefts of rocks, other species of which are cultivated for their flowers.
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Compare saxifrage family.
Origin of saxifrage
1400–50; late Middle English <Latin saxifraga (herba) stone-breaking (herb), equivalent to saxi-, combining form of saxum stone + -fraga, feminine of -fragus breaking; see fragile
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for saxifrage
saxifrage
/ (ˈsæksɪˌfreɪdʒ) /
noun
any saxifragaceous plant of the genus Saxifraga, characterized by smallish white, yellow, purple, or pink flowers
Word Origin for saxifrage
C15: from Late Latin saxifraga, literally: rock-breaker (probably alluding to its ability to dissolve kidney stones), from Latin saxum rock + frangere to break
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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