meadow saffron n 1: bulbous autumn-flowering herb with white, purple or lavender-and-white flowers; native to western and central Europe [syn: autumn crocus, meadow saffron, naked lady}, Colchicum autumnale]

Saffron \Saf"fron\ (?; 277), n. [OE. saffran, F. safran; cf. It. zafferano, Sp. azafran, Pg. a[,c]afr[~a]o; all fr. Ar. & Per. za' far[=a]n.] 1. (Bot.) A bulbous iridaceous plant ({Crocus sativus}) having blue flowers with large yellow stigmas. See Crocus. 2. The aromatic, pungent, dried stigmas, usually with part of the stile, of the Crocus sativus. Saffron is used in cookery, and in coloring confectionery, liquors, varnishes, etc., and was formerly much used in medicine. 3. An orange or deep yellow color, like that of the stigmas of the Crocus sativus. Bastard saffron, Dyer's saffron. (Bot.) See Safflower. Meadow saffron (Bot.), a bulbous plant ({Colchichum autumnale}) of Europe, resembling saffron. Saffron wood (Bot.), the yellowish wood of a South African tree ({El[ae]odendron croceum}); also, the tree itself. Saffron yellow, a shade of yellow like that obtained from the stigmas of the true saffron ({Crocus sativus}).

Meadow \Mead"ow\, a. Of or pertaining to a meadow; of the nature of a meadow; produced, growing, or living in, a meadow. ``Fat meadow ground.'' --Milton. Note: For many names of plants compounded with meadow, see the particular word in the Vocabulary. Meadow beauty. (Bot.) Same as Deergrass. Meadow foxtail (Bot.), a valuable pasture grass ({Alopecurus pratensis}) resembling timothy, but with softer spikes. Meadow grass (Bot.), a name given to several grasses of the genus Poa, common in meadows, and of great value for nay and for pasture. See Grass. Meadow hay, a coarse grass, or true sedge, growing in uncultivated swamp or river meadow; -- used as fodder or bedding for cattle, packing for ice, etc. [Local, U. S.] Meadow hen. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The American bittern. See Stake-driver. (b) The American coot ({Fulica}). (c) The clapper rail. Meadow lark (Zo["o]l.), any species of Sturnella, a genus of American birds allied to the starlings. The common species ({S. magna}) has a yellow breast with a black crescent. Meadow mouse (Zo["o]l.), any mouse of the genus Arvicola, as the common American species A. riparia; -- called also field mouse, and field vole. Meadow mussel (Zo["o]l.), an American ribbed mussel ({Modiola plicatula}), very abundant in salt marshes. Meadow ore (Min.), bog-iron ore, a kind of limonite. Meadow parsnip. (Bot.) See under Parsnip. Meadow pink. (Bot.) See under Pink. Meadow pipit (Zo["o]l.), a small singing bird of the genus Anthus, as A. pratensis, of Europe. Meadow rue (Bot.), a delicate early plant, of the genus Thalictrum, having compound leaves and numerous white flowers. There are many species. Meadow saffron. (Bot.) See under Saffron. Meadow sage. (Bot.) See under Sage. Meadow saxifrage (Bot.), an umbelliferous plant of Europe ({Silaus pratensis}), somewhat resembling fennel. Meadow snipe (Zo["o]l.), the common or jack snipe.

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