nettle

nettle
I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English netel; akin to Old High German nazza nettle, Greek adikē Date: before 12th century 1. any of a genus (Urtica of the family Urticaceae, the nettle family) of chiefly coarse herbs armed with stinging hairs 2. any of various prickly or stinging plants other than the true nettles (genus Urtica) II. transitive verb (nettled; nettling) Date: 15th century 1. to strike or sting with or as if with nettles 2. to arouse to sharp but transitory annoyance or anger Synonyms: see irritate

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Nettle — Net tle, n. [AS. netele; akin to D. netel, G. nessel, OHG. nezz[ i]la, nazza, Dan. nelde, n[ a]lde, Sw. n[ a]ssla; cf, Lith. notere.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Urtica}, covered with minute sharp hairs containing a poison that produces a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nettle — ► NOUN ▪ a plant having jagged leaves covered with stinging hairs. ► VERB ▪ annoy. ● grasp the nettle Cf. ↑grasp the nettle ORIGIN Old English …   English terms dictionary

  • nettle — [net′ l] n. [ME netle < OE netele, akin to Ger nessel < IE base * ned , to twist together > NET1: from the use of such plants as a source of spinning fiber] 1. any of a genus (Urtica) of annual and perennial weeds of the nettle family… …   English World dictionary

  • Nettle — Net tle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Nettled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Nettling}.] To fret or sting; to irritate or vex; to cause to experience sensations of displeasure or uneasiness not amounting to violent anger. [1913 Webster] The princes were so nettled… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nettle — index aggravate (annoy), badger, discompose, disturb, hector, incense, irritate, offend ( …   Law dictionary

  • nettle — provoke, exasperate, *irritate, aggravate, rile, peeve Analogous words: *annoy, irk, bother, vex: disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, *discompose: fret, chafe, gall (see ABRADE) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • nettle — [v] provoke, upset annoy, chafe, disgust, disturb, exasperate, fret, get*, goad, harass, huff, incense, insult, irritate, miff, peeve*, pester, pet, pique, put out*, rile, roil, ruffle, snit*, stew*, sting*, tease, tiff*, vex; concepts 7,14,19… …   New thesaurus

  • Nettle — Nettles redirects here. For people with this name, see Nettles (surname). For other uses, see Nettle (cryptographic library). Nettle Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) …   Wikipedia

  • nettle — /ˈnɛtl/ (say netl) noun 1. Also, stinging nettle. any plant of the genus Urtica, comprising widely distributed herbs armed with stinging hairs. 2. any of various allied or similar plants, as Gympie nettle. 3. → dead nettle. –verb (t) (nettled,… …  

  • nettle — {{11}}nettle (n.) stinging plant, O.E. netele, from P.Gmc. *natilon (Cf. O.S. netila, M.Du. netele, Du. netel, Ger. Nessel, M.Da. nædlæ nettle ), dim. of *naton, perhaps from PIE root *ned to twist, knot (see NET (Cf. net) ( …   Etymology dictionary

  • nettle — I UK [ˈnet(ə)l] / US noun [countable] Word forms nettle : singular nettle plural nettles a tall plant with pointed leaves and small hairs that sting if you touch them • grasp the nettle II UK [ˈnet(ə)l] / US verb [transitive] Word forms nettle :… …   English dictionary

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