saffron

Meanings

Noun

• The plant Crocus sativus, a crocus.
• A spice (seasoning) and colouring agent made from the stigma and part of the style of the plant, sometimes or formerly also used as a dye and insect repellent.
• An orange-yellow colour, the colour of a lion's pelt.

Adjective

• Having an orange-yellow colour.

Verb

• To add saffron to (a food), for taste, colour etc.
• To give a saffron colour to (something).
• To embellish.

Origin

• From Middle English saffron, from Old French safran, from Medieval Latin safrānum, from Arabic زَعْفَرَان.