Gladiolus
/ɡlædɪˈəʊləs/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The center part of the sternum.
- 2 the large central part of the breastbone wordnet
- 3 Any of several flowering plants, of the genus Gladiolus, having sword-shaped leaves and showy flowers on spikes; gladiola.
"Hester Earle and Violet Wayne were moving about the aisle with bundles of wheat-ears and streamers of ivy, for the harvest thanksgiving was shortly to be celebrated, while the vicar stood waiting for their directions on the chancel steps with a great handful of crimson gladioli."
- 4 any of numerous plants of the genus Gladiolus native chiefly to tropical and South Africa having sword-shaped leaves and one-sided spikes of brightly colored funnel-shaped flowers; widely cultivated wordnet
Example
More examples"This gladiolus is perennial: it flowers every year without needing any special attention."
Etymology
From Latin gladiolus (“little sword, sword lily”), diminutive of gladius (“sword”).