crocus of mars

1 definition found

crocus of mars - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Crocus \Cro"cus\ (kr[=o]"k[u^]s), n. [L., saffron, fr. Gr.
     kro`kos; cf. Heb. kark[=o]m, Ar. kurkum, Skr. ku[.n]kuma.]
     1. (Bot.) A genus of iridaceous plants, with pretty blossoms
        rising separately from the bulb or corm. Crocus vernus
        is one of the earliest of spring-blooming flowers; Crocus  sativus
         produces the saffron, and blossoms in the autumn.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Chem.) A deep yellow powder; the oxide of some metal
        calcined to a red or deep yellow color; esp., the oxide of
        iron (Crocus of Mars or colcothar) thus produced from
        salts of iron, and used as a polishing powder.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Crocus of Venus (Old Chem.), oxide of copper.
        [1913 Webster]