crocus

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a low-growing perennial plant with narrow leaves and cup-shaped white, yellow, or purple flowers

   A purple crocus appeared through the last patch of snow.

2. 2
   noun

   a deep yellow or reddish powder made by calcining certain metal oxides

   The conservator tested a sample of crocus used as a polishing powder.

Learned from Latin crocus, borrowed from Ancient Greek krokos, 'crocus' or 'saffron.' The Greek word probably came from an older Semitic language.

Topics