ETYM Latin See Gladiole.
(Irregular plural: gladioli).
1. Any of numerous plants of the genus Gladiolus native chiefly to tropical and South Africa having sword-shaped leaves and one-sided spikes of brightly colored funnel-shaped flowers; widely cultivated; SYN. gladiola, sword lily.
2. The large central part of the breastbone; SYN. corpus sternum.
Any plant of the genus Gladiolus of S European and African cultivated perennials of the iris family Iridaceae, with brightly colored, funnel-shaped flowers, borne in a spike; the swordlike leaves spring from a corm.