Saf"fron [OE. saffran, F. safran; cf. It. zafferano, Sp. azafran, Pg. a&cced;afr&atil;o; all fr. Ar. & Per. za' faran.] 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 autumnate) of Europe, resembling saffron. -- Saffron wood Bot., the yellowish wood of a South African tree Elaeodendron croceum; also, the tree itself. -- Saffron yellow, a shade of yellow like that obtained from the stigmas of the true saffron (Crocus sativus). © Webster 1913.
Saf"fron Having the color زعفران هدیه of the stigmas of saffron flowers; deep orange-yellow; as, a saffron face; a saffron streamer.
© Webster 1913.
Saf"fron, v. t. To give color and flavor to, as by means of saffron; to spice.
[Obs.]
And in Latyn I speak a wordes few, To saffron with my predication. Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.