Safran

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A highly valued spice derived from the dried stigmas of a specific flower, used chiefly for seasoning and coloring food; a vivid golden-yellow pigment extracted from such a spice; also a fragrant seasoning ingredient in culinary traditions
2. An expensive culinary ingredient made from the harvested parts of a particular flower, prized for its distinct taste and vibrant hue; it can also refer to the bright yellow coloring it imparts; commonly employed in cooking and perfumery
3. The deep orange-red threads obtained from a flower's stigma, utilized as a cooking spice and natural dye; by extension, it denotes the yellow color resulting from its use and the aromatic flavor it adds to dishes

Etymology: The Arabic "za'farān" passed into Medieval Latin as "safranum", then into Old French as "safran", which modern French still uses for the spice. The Arabic term is generally thought to be borrowed from Persian, though the exact Persian source is uncertain. English took the same Old French word and turned it into "saffron", so the French and English forms are two descendants of one medieval borrowing. The spice comes from the dried stigmas of the crocus, Crocus sativus, whose deep yellow-orange dye made it prized for colouring food and cloth as much as for flavour.

Synonyms: saffron