Definitions
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. pl. gladioli (-lī). A plant of the genus Gladiolus; a sword-lily.
- n. [capitalized] A genus of very beautiful iridaceous plants, with corms or bulb-like rhizomes, and erect leafy stems bearing a spike of large and very variously colored flowers. There are about 90 species, a few of which are natives of the Mediterranean region, but most are found in South Africa. Of the European species, G. communis and G. Byzantinus are occasionally seen in gardens, but the African species are far more handsome and more generally cultivated. The many favorite garden varieties and hybrids have originated mainly from the Cape species, G. floribundus, G. cardinalis, G. psittacinus. and G. blandus.
- n. In anat., the intermediate segments of the sternum, between the manubrium and the xiphoid or ensiform appendage. In the human subject there are four such segments or sternebers, commonly fused in the adult in one piece, the gladiolus.
Wiktionary
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. (Bot.) A genus of plants having bulbous roots and gladiate leaves, and including many species, some of which are cultivated and valued for the beauty of their flowers; the corn flag; the sword lily.
- n. (Anat.) The middle portion of the sternum in some animals; the mesosternum.
WordNet 3.0
- n. any of numerous plants of the genus Gladiolus native chiefly to tropical and South Africa having sword-shaped leaves and one-sided spikes of brightly colored funnel-shaped flowers; widely cultivated
- n. the large central part of the breastbone
Examples
“The Gladiolus is another bright and interesting addition to our floral family.”
“The final theme now uses the fullest voicing, the widest range, the strongest and most repetitive syncopation, and the most adventurous harmony (both "Gladiolus" and "Pine Apple," for example, feature prominent shifts to the flatted submediant in their final themes).”
“Gladiolus," for example, really took on a life of its own.”
“Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus has adelicate habit and cerise flowers.”
The Guardian: In the garden this week: Net fruit bushes, plus gladioli times
“But between 1907 and 1909, Joplin writes a whole series of rags — "Gladiolus Rag," "Pine Apple Rag," "Fig Leaf Rag," "Wall Street Rag," &c. — where he makes the open-ended form a virtue.”
“Herbaceous species include Sebaea pentandra, Lobelia kirkii and Gladiolus unguiculatus, and the dense fern growth includes Cheilanthos farinosa.”
“Of over 100 species of plants on the mountain, 38 are rare, endemic or protected, including Adenophora lilifolia and Gladiolus imbricatus, endemic species to Switzerland.”
“There is good evidence that pollinators have driven adaptive radiation in many plant groups, e.g. Gladiolus.”
“Herbaceous species include Sebaea pentandra, Lobelia kirkii and Gladiolus unguiculatus, while amongst the dense fern growth is found Cheilanthes farinosa.”
“Gladiolus saundersii, and the orchids Disa fragrans, Disperis wealei, and Brownlea are amongst the Drakensberg endemics.”
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