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Glite Dictionary
autumn crocus

autumn crocus

1 8.1
A plant that grows from a bulb and makes white or purple flowers in autumn
  • noun
  • /ˈɔːtəm ˈkroʊkəs/
  • UK
translation icon : crocus de otoño
  • The autumn crocus thrives in well-drained soil and can often be seen in parks during the autumn season.

Examples

  • She planted several autumn crocuses along the garden path.

  • The autumn crocus blooms beautifully in my garden.

  • Be careful with autumn crocus, as all parts of the plant are poisonous.

  • The autumn crocus adds a splash of color to the garden late in the year.

  • Have you seen the autumn crocuses in the park?

  • The autumn crocus blooms in beautiful shades of purple and white every fall.

  • Gardeners often plant the autumn crocus to enjoy its flowers when most other plants have wilted.

Synonyms

Colchicum autumnale
vsautumn crocus
  • Specialized
9.9

A bulb plant with pale purple or white flowers that blooms in autumn and is highly poisonous

is the common everyday name rather than the formal scientific label
meadow saffron
vsautumn crocus
  • UK
9.5

A plant that has a bulb and makes purple or white flowers in autumn and is poisonous to eat

is the more widely used common name rather than that alternative name
Colchicum
vsautumn crocus
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant with a bulb-like root that makes flowers in autumn like a crocus

is one particular bulbous species rather than the broader genus

Surface Forms

autumn crocus singular
autumn crocuses plural

Morphology

autumn + Crocus

This is a straightforward noun–noun compound where 'autumn' specifies the season of the 'crocus'; a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a crocus that flowers in autumn. The composition follows common cross-linguistic modification patterns (season + plant), so the overall meaning is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

The compound noun autumn crocus names a crocus that flowers in autumn. Picture small, cup-shaped flowers appearing when most other plants are gone, and you see why the name means 'a crocus that blooms in autumn'.