saxifrage

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

From Old French saxifrage, from Late Latin saxifraga, from Latin saxifragus (“stone-breaking”). Doublet of sassafras.

This deceitful appearance is caused by a small plant resembling saxifrage, which is abundant, growing in large patches on a species of crumbling moss. — The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition: Table Of Contents And Index Of The Five Volumes, Edgar Allan Poe
Despite the predominance of foodstuffs there were a few flowers in the garden, clumps of forget-me-not and narcissus, purple iris, golden saxifrages and scarlet anemones. — The Luckiest Girl in the School, Angela Brazil
There was no heath there, but-- First, a little grass slope, covered with the prettiest flowers, rockrose and saxifrage, and thyme and basil, and all sorts of sweet herbs. — The Water-Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby, Charles Kingsley

breakstone, rockfoil

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