babiana

noun

bab·​i·​a·​na

ˌbabēˈanə,

-ˈä-,

-ˈȧ- also -ˈā-

1

capitalized : a genus of bulbous herbs (family Iridaceae) having showy red or yellow spicate flowers

2

plural -s : a plant of the genus Babiana

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Dutch babianer, from obsolete Dutch babiaen baboon (now baviaan), from Middle French babouin baboon; from the fact that its stems are eaten by baboons

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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