Defn: The safflower. [Obs.]
SAFFLOWER Saf"flow`er, n. Etym: [F. safeur, safior, for safran, influenced by fleur flower. See Saffron, and Flower.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: An annual composite plant (Carthamus tinctorius), the flowers of which are used as a dyestuff and in making rouge; bastard, or false, saffron.
2. The died flowers of the Carthamus tinctorius.
3. A dyestuff from these flowers. See Safranin (b). Oil of safflower, a purgative oil expressed from the seeds of the safflower.
SAFFRON Saf"fron, n. Etym: [OE. saffran, F. safran; cf. It. zafferano, Sp. azafran, Pg. açafrao; all fr. Ar. & Per. za' faran.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: 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.