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.
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   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.
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   3. An orange or deep yellow color, like that of the stigmas
      of the Crocus sativus.
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   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 (Elaeodendron croceum); also, the tree itself.

   Saffron yellow, a shade of yellow like that obtained from
      the stigmas of the true saffron (Crocus sativus).
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