(n)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.sword lily, glad, gladiola
(n)plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals, Syn.sword lily, fleur-de-lis, flag