African saffron

noun

1
: a product formed by adulterating the true saffron with the flowers of other plants (as Carthamus tinctorius and Calendula officinalis)
2
a
: a shrub (Lyperia crocea) of southern Africa
b
: an orange dye obtained from the flowers of this shrub

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of African saffron was in 1821

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Dictionary Entries Near African saffron

Cite this Entry

“African saffron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/African%20saffron. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

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