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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 irron, and used as a polishing powder. Crocus of Venus (Old Chem.), oxide of copper.

Of brilliant color; of lively hue or appearance. Here the bright crocus and blue violet grew. Pope.

ining; near; either in space; time, or thought; -- often followed by to. Plant the spring crocuses close to a wall. Mortimer. The thought of the Man of sorrows seemed a very close thing -- not a faint hearsay. G. Eliot.

ddish brown oxide of iron, used in polishing glass, and also as a pigment; -- called also crocus Martis.

A solid bulb-shaped root, as of the crocus. See Bulb.

A red powder (called also polychroite), which is made from the saffron (Crocus sativus). See Polychroite.

laid, or prepared for inlaying; that which is inserted or inlaid for ornament or variety. Crocus and hyacinth with rich inlay Broidered the ground. Milton. The sloping of the moonlit sward Was damask work, and deep inlay Of braided blooms. Tennyson.

arge natural order of endogenous plants (Iridaceæ), which includes the genera Iris, Ixia, Crocus, Gladiolus, and many others.

oxide. It is used in polishing glass, metal, or gems, and as a cosmetic, etc. Called also crocus, jeweler's rouge, etc.

A bulbous iridaceous plant (Crocus sativus) having blue flowers with large yellow stigmas. See Crocus.