Definition of ranunculus

< ranula

rap >

ra·nun·cu·lus    (r-nngky-ls) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. ra·nun·cu·lus·es or ra·nun·cu·li  (-l) KEY 

Any of numerous plants of the genus Ranunculus, including the buttercups.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin Rnunculus, genus name, from Latin rnunculus, a kind of medicinal plant, diminutive of rna, frog, perhaps of imitative origin