Main Entry: glad·i·o·lus

Pronunciation: \ˌgla-dē-ˈō-ləs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural glad·i·o·li \-(ˌ)lē, -ˌlī\

Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, gladiolus, from diminutive of gladius

Date: 15th century

1 or plural gladiolus also glad·i·o·lus·es : any of a genus (Gladiolus) of chiefly African perennial plants of the iris family with erect sword-shaped leaves and spikes of brilliantly colored irregular flowers arising from corms
2 : the large middle portion of the sternum

[gladiolus illustration]