Saf"fron (?; 277), n. [OE.
saffran, F. safran; cf. It. zafferano, Sp.
azafran, Pg. açafrão; all fr. Ar. & Per.
za' farān.] 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 (Elæodendron 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.
Saf"fron (?; 277), n. [OE.
saffran, F. safran; cf. It. zafferano, Sp.
azafran, Pg. açafrão; all fr. Ar. & Per.
za' farān.] 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 (Elæodendron 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.
