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, -lus⋅es for 1; -li for 2. | 1. | any plant of the genus Gladiolus, of the iris family, native esp. to Africa, having erect, sword-shaped leaves and spikes of flowers in a variety of colors. |
| 2. | Anatomy. the middle and largest segment of the sternum. Compare manubrium (def. 2a), xiphisternum. |
gladiolus glad·i·o·lus (glād'ē-ō'ləs)
n. pl. glad·i·o·lus·es or glad·i·o·li (-lī)
The large middle section of the sternum.