ranunculaceous

American  

[ruh-nuhng-kyuh-ley-shuhs] / rəˌnʌŋ kyəˈleɪ ʃəs /

adjective

1. belonging to the Ranunculaceae, the buttercup family of plants.

---

ranunculaceous British  

/ rəˌnʌŋkjʊˈleɪʃəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Ranunculaceae , a N temperate family of flowering plants typically having flowers with five petals and numerous anthers and styles. The family includes the buttercup, clematis, hellebore, and columbine

---

Etymology

Origin of ranunculaceous

1825–35; < New Latin Ranunculace ( ae ) name of family ( Ranuncul ( us ) genus name ( Latin rānunculus little frog; rān ( a ) frog + -unculus diminutive suffix, extracted from n-stem derivatives; homunculus ) + -aceae -aceae ) + -ous

Example Sentences

Trollius.—Showy ranunculaceous plants, of free growth, flowering about May and June.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 7 "Horticulture" to "Hudson Bay" by Various

Thalictrum.—Free-growing but rather weedy ranunculaceous plants, in many cases having elegantly cut foliage.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 7 "Horticulture" to "Hudson Bay" by Various

Nigella, nī-jel′a, n. a genus of ranunculaceous plants, with finely dissected leaves, and whitish, blue, or yellow flowers, often almost concealed by their leafy involucres—Nigella damascena, called Love-in-a-mist, Devil-in-a-bush, and Ragged Lady.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various