Safflower - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Safflower : (noun)

1: thistlelike Eurasian plant widely grown for its red or orange flower heads and seeds that yield a valuable oil [syn: false saffron, Carthamus tinctorius]

Based on WordNet 2.0

Safflower : \Saf"flow`er\, n. [F. safleur, saflor, for safran, influenced by fleur flower. See Saffron, and Flower.] 1. (Bot.) An annual composite plant ({Carthamus tinctorius), the flowers of which are used as a dyestuff and in making rouge; bastard, or false, saffron.

2. The dried flowers of the Carthamus tinctorius.

3. A dyestuff from these flowers. See Safranin (b) .

Oil of safflower, a purgative oil expressed from the seeds of the safflower.

Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)