safflower Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun thistlelike Eurasian plant widely grown for its red or orange flower heads and seeds that yield a valuable oil
false saffron; Carthamus tinctorius.

F. safeur, safior, for safran, influenced by fleur flower. See Saffron, and Flower.

(Bot.) An annual composite plant (Carthamus tinctorius), the flowers of which are used as a dyestuff and in making rouge; bastard, or false, saffron.
The died flowers of the Carthamus tinctorius.
A dyestuff from these flowers. See Safranin (b).