29 November 2017
crocus
[kroh-kuh s]
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 [mahr-tis] (Show IPA). a polishing powder consisting of iron oxide.
Origin of crocus
Middle English, Latin, Greek, Arabic
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek krókos saffron, crocus < Semitic; compare Arabic kurkum saffron
Related forms
crocused, adjective
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for crocus
Contemporary Examples
Saffron is the dried stigmas (the female reproductive parts) of the saffron crocus (crocus sativus).
In Search of the $10,000 Spice
Sarah Whitman-Salkin
July 14, 2009
It takes about 70,000 crocus blossoms or 210,000 stigmas to yield just a pound of saffron.
In Search of the $10,000 Spice
Sarah Whitman-Salkin
July 14, 2009
Historical Examples
And why should the year’s first crocus have brought him luck?
Europe After 8:15
H. L. Mencken, George Jean Nathan and Willard Huntington Wright
Anagram
occurs
Today’s quote
My imagination functions much better when I don’t have to speak to people.
– Patricia Highsmith
On this day
29 November – International Day of Solidarity with Palestine.
29 November 1898 – birth of Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis, Irish novellist, author of ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ and ‘The Screwtape Letters’. Died 22 November 1963.
29 November 1922 – Federal authorities are engaged to assist in the enforcement of prohibition laws in the United States.
29 November 1947 – the United Nations votes in favour of Resolution 181 for the partitioning of the land of Palestine in order to create both a Jewish state, named Israel, and an Arab state named Palestine. Arab nations refused to accept the resolution and the state of Palestine was not created, while the state of Israel was.
29 November 1948 – the first Holden car is manufactured in Australia by General Motors Holden Automotive (GMH). The first model is a Holden FX.
29 November 1963 – The Warren Commission is established to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. After 10 months, the Chief Justice Earl Warren hands down his findings that Lee Harvey Oswald had acted alone in the assassination.
29 November 1986 – death of Cary Grant, born Archibald Alexander Leach, actor (‘North by Northwest‘, ‘To Catch a Thief‘, ‘An Affair to Remember‘, ‘Gunga Din‘). Born 18 January 1904.
29 November 2012 – The United Nations votes to recognise Palestine as a ‘non-member state’, implicitly acknowledging Palestinian statehood.