Ranunculus (r&adot_;nŭ&nsmacr_;k&uuptack_;lŭs), n.; pl. E. Ranunculuses (r&adot_;nŭ&nsmacr_;k&uuptack_;lŭs&ebreve_;z), L. Ranunculi (-lī). [L., a little frog, a medicinal plant, perhaps crowfoot, dim. of rana a frog; cf. raccare to roar.] (Bot.) A genus of herbs, mostly with yellow flowers, including crowfoot, buttercups, and the cultivated ranunculi (Ranunculus Asiaticus, Ranunculus aconitifolius, etc.) in which the flowers are double and of various colors.
[1913 Webster]