crocus

American  

[kroh-kuhs] / ˈkroʊ kəs /

noun

plural

crocuses

1. any of the small, bulbous plants of the genus Crocus, of the iris family, cultivated for their showy, solitary flowers, which are among the first to bloom in the spring.

2. the flower or bulb of the crocus.

3. a deep yellow; orangish yellow; saffron.

4. Also called crocus martis.  a polishing powder consisting of iron oxide.

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crocus British  

/ ˈkrəʊkəs /

noun

1. any plant of the iridaceous genus Crocus, widely cultivated in gardens, having white, yellow, or purple flowers See also autumn crocus

2. another name for jeweller's rouge

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adjective

1. of a saffron yellow colour

Other Word Forms

• crocused adjective

Etymology

Origin of crocus

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek krókos saffron, crocus < Semitic; compare Arabic kurkum saffron

Example Sentences

With their annual income at their fingertips, a family of saffron farmers pluck delicate crimson stigmas from crocus flowers grown high in India’s Kashmir Valley.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 26, 2024

In the meantime, residents were clinging to signs that the cold would eventually retreat: a stray crocus in the yard.

From New York Times • Mar. 23, 2024

Autumn also sees the intricate work of harvesting, when the deep-red threads, called stigma, are removed from between the crocus petals and dried to form saffron.

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2023

The earliest in-ground bloomers will need fewer weeks of cold when forced, before they are ready to start flowering — meaning, a crocus blooms faster than a daffodil.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 20, 2023

For the first few minutes I concentrated on die circular light, but finally, drawing in my chin, I looked down to see that Luce was holding the crocus between his thumb and forefinger.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides