[saf.fron] n [ME, fr. OF safran, fr. ML safranum, fr. Ar za'faran] (13c) 1 a: the deep orange aromatic pungent dried stigmas of a purple-flowered crocus (Crocus sativus) used to color and flavor foods and formerly as a dyestuff and in medicine b: the crocus supplying saffron
2: a moderate orange to orange yellow