Cruciferous
/ˌkruː.sɪˈfɛr.əs/noun
Relating to plants in the mustard family, especially those with four-petaled flowers.
Did you know?Cruciferous was coined in scientific Latin from Latin crux (“cross”) + ferre (“to bear”), because the flower’s four petals were imagined as carrying a cross-like form.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kers-
“to run; to stretch out”
Latin
Latin
crux
“cross; stake; instrument of execution”
Latin
Latin
ferre
“to bear; to carry”
Late Latin
Latin
crucifer
“cross-bearer”
18th Century
English
cruciferous
“having cross-shaped flowers; belonging to the mustard family”
Modern English
English
cruciferous
“relating to plants of the mustard family”