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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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Helleborus.—Charming very early blooming dwarf ranunculaceous herbs.

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

Ado′nis, a genus of ranunculaceous plants.

From Project Gutenberg