Dictionary

gladiolus

noun glad·i·o·lus \ˌgla-dē-ˈō-ləs\

: a plant with long, stiff leaves and brightly colored flowers

plural glad·i·o·li\-(ˌ)lē, -ˌlī\

Full Definition of GLADIOLUS

1
or plural gladiolus also glad·i·o·lus·es :  any of a genus (Gladiolus) of chiefly African perennial plants of the iris family with erect sword-shaped leaves and spikes of brilliantly colored irregular flowers arising from corms
2
:  the large middle portion of the sternum
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Illustration of GLADIOLUS

Origin of GLADIOLUS

New Latin, from Latin, gladiolus, from diminutive of gladius
First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with GLADIOLUS

GLADIOLI Defined for Kids

gladiolus

noun glad·i·o·lus \ˌgla-dē-ˈō-ləs\
plural glad·i·o·li \-lē, -ˌlī\ or gladiolus also glad·i·o·lus·es

Definition of GLADIOLUS for Kids

:  a plant with long stiff pointed leaves and stalks of brightly colored flowers
Medical Dictionary

gladiolus

noun glad·i·o·lus \ˌglad-ē-ˈō-ləs\
plural glad·i·o·li \-(ˌ)lē, -ˌlī\

Medical Definition of GLADIOLUS

:  the large middle portion of the sternum lying between the upper manubrium and the lower xiphoid process—called also mesosternum

Illustration of GLADIOLUS

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