Word Study
gladiolus
CIDE DICTIONARY
gladiolus, n. [L. See Gladiole.].
- A genus of plants having bulbous roots and gladiate leaves, and including many species, some of which are cultivated and valued for the beauty of their flowers; the corn flag; the sword lily. [1913 Webster]
- The middle portion of the sternum in some animals; the mesosternum. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
gladiolus, n. (pl. gladioli or gladioluses) any iridaceous plant of the genus Gladiolus with sword-shaped leaves and usu. brightly coloured flower-spikes.
Etymology
L, dimin. of gladius sword
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