gladiolus(n = noun.plant) glad, gladiola, sword lily - 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;
A genus of plants having bulbous roots and gladiate leaves, and including many species, some of which are cultivated and valued for the beauty of their flowers; the corn flag; the sword lily. [1913 Webster]
The middle portion of the sternum in some animals; the mesosternum. [1913 Webster]
gladiolus, n. (pl. gladioli or gladioluses) any iridaceous plant of the genus Gladiolus with sword-shaped leaves and usu. brightly coloured flower-spikes.