from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Saffron \Saf"fron\ (?; 277), n. [OE. saffran, F. safran; cf. It.
zafferano, Sp. azafran, Pg. a[,c]afr[~a]o; all fr. Ar. & Per.
za' far[=a]n.]
1. (Bot.) A bulbous iridaceous plant ({Crocus sativus})
having blue flowers with large yellow stigmas. See
{Crocus}.
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2. The aromatic, pungent, dried stigmas, usually with part of
the stile, of the {Crocus sativus}. Saffron is used in
cookery, and in coloring confectionery, liquors,
varnishes, etc., and was formerly much used in medicine.
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3. An orange or deep yellow color, like that of the stigmas
of the {Crocus sativus}.
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{Bastard saffron}, {Dyer's saffron}. (Bot.) See {Safflower}.
{Meadow saffron} (Bot.), a bulbous plant ({Colchichum
autumnale}) of Europe, resembling saffron.
{Saffron wood} (Bot.), the yellowish wood of a South African
tree ({Elaeodendron croceum}); also, the tree itself.
{Saffron yellow}, a shade of yellow like that obtained from
the stigmas of the true saffron ({Crocus sativus}).
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