from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ranunculus \Ra*nun"cu*lus\ (r[.a]*n[u^][ng]"k[-u]*l[u^]s), n.;
pl. E. {Ranunculuses} (r[.a]*n[u^][ng]"k[-u]*l[u^]s*[e^]z),
L. {Ranunculi} (-l[imac]). [L., a little frog, a medicinal
plant, perhaps crowfoot, dim. of rana a frog; cf. raccare to
roar.] (Bot.)
A genus of herbs, mostly with yellow flowers, including
crowfoot, buttercups, and the cultivated ranunculi
({Ranunculus Asiaticus}, {Ranunculus aconitifolius}, etc.) in
which the flowers are double and of various colors.
[1913 Webster]