saffron

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun Old World crocus having purple or white flowers with aromatic pungent orange stigmas used in flavoring food
  2. noun dried pungent stigmas of the Old World saffron crocus
  3. noun a shade of yellow tinged with orange

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English saffron, borrowed from Old French safran, borrowed from Medieval Latin safranum, borrowed from Arabic زَعْفَرَان (zaʕfarān), from Aramaic צפר.

In classic literature

Synonyms

saffron crocus, Crocus sativus

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