Main Entry:

sax·i·frage

Pronunciation:

\ˈsak-sə-frij, -ˌfrāj\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin saxifraga, from Latin, feminine of saxifragus breaking rocks, from saxum rock + frangere to break — more at break

Date:

14th century

: any of a genus (Saxifraga of the family Saxifragaceae, the saxifrage family) of chiefly perennial herbs with showy pentamerous flowers and often with basal tufted leaves