gladiolus

[glad-ee-oh-luh s] /ˌglæd iˈoʊ ləs/
noun, plural gladiolus, gladioli
[glad-ee-oh-lahy] /ˌglæd iˈoʊ laɪ/ (Show IPA), gladioluses for 1; gladioli for 2.
1.
any plant of the genus Gladiolus, of the iris family, native especially to Africa, having erect, sword-shaped leaves and spikes of flowers in a variety of colors.
2.
Anatomy. the middle and largest segment of the sternum.
Compare manubrium (def 2a), xiphisternum.
Origin
1560-70; < Latin: small sword, sword lily, equivalent to gladi(us) sword + -olus -ole1
Examples from the web for gladiolus
  • Dahlias and gladiolus accent the bed in late spring and summer.
  • It is sadly noted that the gladiolus bulbs were crushed during the rampage.
British Dictionary definitions for gladiolus

gladiolus

/ˌɡlædɪˈəʊləs/
noun (pl) -lus, -li (-laɪ), -luses
1.
Also called sword lily, gladiola. any iridaceous plant of the widely cultivated genus Gladiolus, having sword-shaped leaves and spikes of funnel-shaped brightly coloured flowers
2.
(anatomy) the large central part of the breastbone
Word Origin
C16: from Latin: a small sword, sword lily, from gladius a sword
Word Origin and History for gladiolus
n.

c.1000, from Latin gladiolus "wild iris," literally "small sword," diminutive of gladius "sword" (see gladiator); so called by Pliny in reference to the plant's sword-shaped leaves. The Old English form of the word was gladdon. Form gladiol is attested mid-15c.; the modern use perhaps represents a 1560s reborrowing from Latin.

gladiolus in Medicine

gladiolus glad·i·o·lus (glād'ē-ō'ləs)
n. pl. glad·i·o·lus·es or glad·i·o·li (-lī)
The large middle section of the sternum.