ˈsaˌflau̇(ə)r, -au̇ə noun
also saf·flor -lȯ(ə)r, -ȯ(ə)
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French saffleur, safleur, from Old Italian saffiore, zaffrole, from Arabic aṣfar yellow, a yellow plant
1. : an Old World herb ( Carthamus tinctorius ) that resembles a thistle, is widely grown for its oil, and has large vivid red or orange flower heads
2. : a dye prepared from the flower heads of the safflower and now used chiefly in the Orient for dyeing silk and cotton light red — see carthamin
3. : a drug consisting of the dried florets of the safflower and used in medicine in place of saffron