gladiolus Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun 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
    sword lily; glad; gladiola.
  2. noun the large central part of the breastbone
    corpus sternum.

WordNet

Gla*di"o*lus noun
Etymology
L. See Gladiole.
Wordforms
plural L Gladioli E Gladioluses
Definitions
  1. (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.
  2. (Anat.) The middle portion of the sternum in some animals; the mesosternum.

Webster 1913