saffron means having an orange-yellow colour.
saffron is pronounced /ˈsæfɹən/.
Why “saffron” is a great word
A spice and dye derived from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, also describing an orange-yellow color or Hindu symbolic associations. From Middle English saffron, from Old French safran, from Medieval Latin safranum, from Arabic زَعْفَرَان (zaʿfarān), from Aramaic צַפְרָא (ṣap̄rā, "yellow"). Unlike turmeric—a cheap, earthy rhizome powder—or ochre—a muted, mineral earth pigment—saffron is extravagance incarnate. It is the labor of seventy thousand hand-picked blossoms yielding a single pound of rust-orange threads; the color of monk’s robes and sacred tilaks; the unmistakable scent of honey and hay rising from a dish of golden rice—the world’s most expensive color, extracted from the very throat of a purple autumn flower.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English saffron, borrowed from Old French safran, borrowed from Medieval Latin safranum, borrowed from Arabic زَعْفَرَان (zaʕfarān), from Aramaic צפר.
adj
- Having an orange-yellow colour.e.g.“For ioyfull thoughts, vse funerall deedes” — 1624, Thomas Heywood, Gynaikeion: or, Nine Bookes of Various History. Concerninge women inscribed by the names of the nine Muses, London, Book 3, “A Funerall Oade vpon the death of Anna Panareta” p. 1
- Associated with Hinduism, Hindus or Hindu nationalism.e.g.“Saffron voters will certainly respond to the Sena chief’s call to support this alliance.” — 2012 January 11, “Saffron alliance gives RPI 29 seats it never won”, in Hindustan Times:
name
- A female given name from English; a rare flower name from the saffron.
noun
- A plant of species Crocus sativus, a crocus.e.g.“Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, spikenard and saffron […]” — 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Song of Songs of Songs-Chapter-4/#13-14 4:13-14:
- A spice (seasoning) and colouring agent made from the stigma and part of the style of the plant, sometimes or formerly also used as a dye and insect repellent.e.g.“I must have saffron to colour the warden pies […]” — c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, pu
- An orange-yellow colour, the colour of a lion's pelt.e.g.“[…] The stately Ram
Shone thro’ the Mead, in native Purple clad,
Or milder Saffron […]” — a. 1749 (date written), James Thomson, “Spring”, in The Seasons, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, and sold by Thomas Cadell, […], published 1768, →OCLC, page 18:
verb
- To add saffron to (a food), for taste, colour etc.e.g.“saffroned water, saffroned rice”
- To give a saffron colour to (something).e.g.“My dreadful thoughts been drawen vpon my face,
In blotted lines with ages iron pen,
The lothlie morpheu saffroned the place,
Where beuties damaske daz’d the eies of men.” — 1593, Michael Drayton, Idea the Shepheards Garland, London: Thomas Woodcocke, Second Eglog, page 6:
- To give a saffron colour to (something).; To dye (a fabric, garment, etc.) with a saffron-based dye.
- To give a saffron colour to (something).; To colour (a metal or wooden surface) with a gilding product containing saffron.e.g.“His horse was harnished with leaden chaines, hauing the out-side guilt, or at least saffrond in stead of guilt, to decypher a holie or golden pretence of a couetous purpose […]” — 1594, Thomas Nashe, The Unfortunate Traveller, London: C. Burby:
- To embellish.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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