safflower

saf·flow·er  (sflour)

n.

1. A thistlelike Eurasian plant (Carthamus tinctorius) of the composite family, having heads of orange flowers that yield a dyestuff and produce seeds containing an oil used in cooking, cosmetics, paints, and medicine.

2. The dried flowers of this plant.

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[Middle English saflour, from Old French safleur, from Old Italian saffiore, from Arabic 'afar, yellow, a yellow plant; see pr² in Semitic roots.]

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safflower [ˈsæflaʊə]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) a thistle-like Eurasian annual plant, Carthamus tinctorius, having large heads of orange-yellow flowers and yielding a dye and an oil used in paints, medicines, etc.: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Dyeing) a red dye used for cotton and for colouring foods and cosmetics, or a drug obtained from the florets of this plant Also called false saffron

[via Dutch saffloer or German safflor from Old French saffleur, from Early Italian saffiore, of uncertain origin. Influenced by saffron, flower]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

safflower - thistlelike Eurasian plant widely grown for its red or orange flower heads and seeds that yield a valuable oil Carthamus tinctorius, false saffron Carthamus, genus Carthamus - safflower safflower seed - seed of the safflower safflower oil - oil from safflower seeds used as food as well as in medicines and paints herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests