DictionaryRoot: gladius
Latin
gladius
sword
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noun
gladiolus
glad-ee-OH-lus/ˌɡlædiˈəʊləs/
A tall plant with sword-shaped leaves and flowers growing along a spike.
Etymology
The name literally means “small sword.” It describes the plant’s sword-shaped leaves, so its striking foliage, rather than its colorful flowers, supplies the naming image.