Croconic acid (Chem.), a yellow crystalline substance, C5O3(OH)2, obtained from potassium carboxide, rhodizonic acid, and various phenol and quinone derivatives of benzene, and forming yellow or orange colored salts.
Cro"cose (krō"kōs), n. [Gr. kro`kos saffron.] (Chem.) A white crystalline sugar, metameric with glucose, obtained from the coloring matter of saffron. [Written also crokose.]
Cro"cus (krō"kŭs), n. [L., saffron, fr. Gr. kro`kos; cf. Heb. karkōm, Ar. kurkum, Skr. ku&ndot;kuma.] 1. (Bot.) A genus of iridaceous plants, with pretty blossoms rising separately from the bulb or corm. C. vernus is one of the earliest of spring-blooming flowers; C. sativus produces the saffron, and blossoms in the autumn.
2. (Chem.) A deep yellow powder; the oxide of some metal calcined to a red or deep yellow color; esp., the oxide of iron (Crocus of Mars or colcothar) thus produced from salts of iron, and used as a polishing powder.
Crocus of Venus (Old Chem.), oxide of copper.
Crť"sus (krē"sŭs), n. [L., fr. G. Kroi^sos.] A king of Lydia who flourished in the 6th century b. c., and was renowned for his vast wealth; hence, a common appellation for a very rich man; as, he is a veritable Crťsus.
Croft (kr&obreve;ft; 115), n. [AS. croft; akin to D. kroft hillock; cf. Gael. croit hump, croft.] A small, inclosed field, adjoining a house; a small farm.
A few small crofts of stone-encumbered ground.
Wordsworth.
Croft"er (-?r), n. One who rents and tills a small farm or holding; as, the crofters of Scotland.
Croft"ing, n. 1. Croftland. [Scot.] Jamieson.
2. (Textile Manuf.) Exposing linen to the sun, on the grass, in the process of bleaching.
Croft"land (-l?nd), n. Land of superior quality, on which successive crops are raised. [Scot.] Jamieson.