safron

Noun

saffron (countable and uncountable, plural saffrons)

1. A plant of species Crocus sativus, a crocus.
   • Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, spikenard and saffron […]1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Song of Songs of Songs-Chapter-4/#13-14 4:13-14
2. A spice (seasoning) and colouring agent made from the stigma and part of the style of the plant, sometimes or formerly also used as a dye and insect repellent.
   • I must have saffron to colour the warden pies […]c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...

   Synonyms:

   kesar

3. An orange-yellow colour, the colour of a lion's pelt.
   • […] The stately Ram
     Shone thro’ the Mead, in native Purple clad,
     Or milder Saffron […]a. 1749 (date written), James Thomson, “Spring”, in The Seasons, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, and sold by Thomas Cadell, […], published 1768, →OCLC, page 18

   Synonyms:

   saffron yellow

See all 11 meanings of saffron