cruciferous
cruciferous Lexical Profile
cruciferous Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Of, relating to, or belonging to the mustard or cabbage family of plants (Brassicaceae, formerly Cruciferae), whose flowers have four equal petals arranged in a cross and which includes common vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale.
"Nutritionists recommend eating a wide variety of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale for their rich vitamin and fiber content."
Bearing or marked with a cross.
"The medieval reliquary featured a finely engraved cruciferous emblem on its gilded lid."
• Rhymes for cruciferous
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-17th century from Modern Latin cruciferus ('bearing a cross'), formed from Latin crux ('cross') and -fer ('bearing'). In botany, it refers to the four equal petals of the mustard family's blossoms, which are arranged in the shape of a cross.