ranunculus noun. [rǝ'nʌŋkjʊlǝs] Pl. -luses, -li [-lʌɪ, -li:]. L16.
[Latin, lit. 'little frog', dim. of rana frog: see -CULE.]
A plant of the genus Ranunculus (family Ranunculaceae), which includes the buttercups, spearworts, water-crowfoots, and lesser celandine; esp. (more fully garden ranunculus) the buttercup R. asiaticus, cultivated in various colours.

■ ranuncu'laceous adjective of or pertaining to the family Ranunculaceae, which includes the genus Ranunculus and also the anemones, hellebores, columbines, clematises, and delphiniums M19.

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