noun
gladiolus
glad-ee-OH-lus/ˌɡlædiˈəʊləs/
A tall plant with sword-shaped leaves and flowers growing along a spike.
A pink gladiolus rises above the other flowers in our garden.
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.
In context
the gladiolus also goes by the name of sword lily and that just refers to the shape of its leaves.
More examples
- This gladiolus needs a stake to keep its flower spike upright.
- She arranges freshly cut gladioli in a tall vase.
- We plant gladiolus corms in a sunny spot each spring.
Forms
gladiolus · gladioli · gladioluses