ranunculus

/rə'nʌɳkjuləs/

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Word: Ranunculus

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: "Ranunculus" is the scientific name for a group of plants commonly known as buttercups and crowfoots. These plants can be annual (living for one year), biennial (living for two years), or perennial (living for many years). They usually have bright yellow flowers and are often found in meadows or near water.

Usage Instructions:

• General Use: Use "ranunculus" when talking about this specific group of plants, especially in a scientific or gardening context.
• Common Name: In everyday conversation, you might just say "buttercup" instead of "ranunculus."

Example Sentence:

• "The garden was filled with beautiful ranunculus flowers that bloomed in the spring."

Advanced Usage:

• In gardening or botany discussions, you might say: "The ranunculus species are known for their vibrant colors and ability to thrive in moist conditions."

Word Variants:

• Ranunculaceae: This is the family name that includes ranunculus and other related plants.
• Ranunculus repens: This is a specific type of buttercup commonly found in lawns and fields.

Different Meanings:

While "ranunculus" specifically refers to the plant group, in some poetic or literary contexts, it may symbolize beauty or fragility due to its delicate flowers.

Synonyms:

• Buttercup
• Crowfoot

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "ranunculus." However, you could use the phrase "to bloom" in a metaphorical sense, such as: - "After years of hard work, her career finally started to bloom," which means her career began to flourish, similar to how flowers bloom.

Summary:

"Ranunculus" refers to a group of flowering plants known for their bright yellow flowers.

Academic

Noun

1. annual, biennial or perennial herbs: buttercup; crowfoot

Synonyms

• Ranunculus
• genus Ranunculus