Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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}. 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. 3. An orange or deep yellow color, like that of the stigmas of the {Crocus sativus}. {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 ({El[ae]odendron croceum}); also, the tree itself. {Saffron yellow}, a shade of yellow like that obtained from the stigmas of the true saffron ({Crocus sativus}).
\Saf"fron\ (?; 277), a. Having the color of the stigmas of saffron flowers; deep orange-yellow; as, a saffron face; a saffron streamer.
\Saf"fron\, v. t. To give color and flavor to, as by means of saffron; to spice. [Obs.] And in Latyn I speak a wordes few, To saffron with my predication. --Chaucer.