saffron \saf"fron\ ?; 277, n. oe. saffran, f. safran; cf. it.
   zafferano, sp. azafran, pg. a,cafr~ao; all fr. ar.  per.
   za' far=an.
   1. bot. a bulbous iridaceous plant crocus sativus
      having blue flowers with large yellow stigmas. see
      crocus.
      1913 webster

   2. the aromatic, pungent, dried stigmas, usually with part of
      the stile, of the crocus sativus. saffron is used in
      cookery, and in coloring confectionery, liquors,
      varnishes, etc., and was formerly much used in medicine.
      1913 webster

   3. an orange or deep yellow color, like that of the stigmas
      of the crocus sativus.
      1913 webster

   bastard saffron, dyer's saffron. bot. see safflower.
      

   meadow saffron bot., a bulbous plant colchichum
      autumnale of europe, resembling saffron.

   saffron wood bot., the yellowish wood of a south african
      tree elaeodendron croceum; also, the tree itself.

   saffron yellow, a shade of yellow like that obtained from
      the stigmas of the true saffron crocus sativus.
      1913 webster
see also:
crocus sativus crocus bastard saffron dyer's saffron safflower meadow saffron 
colchichum autumnale saffron wood elaeodendron croceum saffron yellow