/glad'ee oh"leuhs/ , n. , pl. gladiolus, gladioli /-luy/ , gladioluses for 1; gladioli for 2.
1. any plant of the genus Gladiolus, of the iris family, native esp. to Africa, having erect, sword-shaped leaves and spikes of flowers in a variety of colors.
2. Anat. the middle and largest segment of the sternum. Cf. manubrium (def. 2a), xiphisternum .
[ 1560-70; gladi ( us ) sword + -olus -OLE 1 ]