safflower

[ saf-lou-er ]
/ ˈsæfˌlaʊ ər /

noun

a thistlelike composite plant, Carthamus tinctorius, native to the Old World, having finely toothed leaves and large, orange-red flower heads.
its dried florets, used medicinally or as a red dyestuff.

Origin of safflower

1575–85; < Dutch saffloer < Middle French safleur, alteration (assimilated to safran saffron and fleur flower) of Italian asfori < Arabic aṣfar yellow

Example sentences from the Web for safflower

British Dictionary definitions for safflower

safflower
/ (ˈsæflaʊə) /

noun

a thistle-like Eurasian annual plant, Carthamus tinctorius, having large heads of orange-yellow flowers and yielding a dye and an oil used in paints, medicines, etc: family Asteraceae (composites)
a red dye used for cotton and for colouring foods and cosmetics, or a drug obtained from the florets of this plant
Also called: false saffron

Word Origin for safflower

C16: via Dutch saffloer or German safflor from Old French saffleur, from Early Italian saffiore, of uncertain origin. Influenced by saffron, flower