Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Nettle
Net′tle
,Noun.
[AS.
netele
; akin to D. netel
, G. nessel
, OHG. nezzïla
, nazza
, Dan. nelde
, nälde
, Sw. nässla
; cf, Lith. notere
.] (Bot.)
A plant of the genus
Urtica
, covered with minute sharp hairs containing a poison that produces a stinging sensation. Urtica gracilis
is common in the Northern, and Urtica chamaedryoides
in the Southern, United States. The common European species, Urtica urens
and Urtica dioica
, are also found in the Eastern united States. Urtica pilulifera
is the Roman nettle of England. ☞ The term nettle has been given to many plants related to, or to some way resembling, the true nettle; as:
,
,
Australian nettle
, a stinging tree or shrub of the genus
– Laportea
(as Laportea gigas
and Laportea moroides
); – also called nettle tree
. Bee nettle
, Hemp nettle
a species of
See under Galeopsis
. Hemp
. – Blind nettle
, Dead nettle
a harmless species of
– Lamium
. False nettle
(
– Baehmeria cylindrica
), a plant common in the United States, and related to the true nettles. Hedge nettle
, a species of
– Stachys
. See under Hedge
. Horse nettle
(
– Solanum Carolinense
). See under Horse
. nettle tree
. (a)
Same as
Hackberry
. (b)
See
– Australian nettle
(above). Spurge nettle
, a stinging American herb of the Spurge family (
– Jatropha urens
). Wood nettle
, a plant (
Laportea Canadensis
) which stings severely, and is related to the true nettles.Nettle cloth
, a kind of thick cotton stuff, japanned, and used as a substitute for leather for various purposes.
– Nettle rash
(Med.)
, an eruptive disease resembling the effects of whipping with nettles.
– Sea nettle
(Zool.)
, a medusa.
Net′tle
,Verb.
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.
The princes were so
nettled
at the scandal of this affront, that every man took it to himself. L’Estrange.
Webster 1828 Edition
Nettle
NETTLE
,Noun.
And near the noisome nettle blooms the rose.
NETTLE
,Verb.
T.
The princes were nettled at the scandal of this affront.
Definition 2024
nettle
nettle
English
Urtica dioica
Noun
nettle (plural nettles)
- Any plant, the foliage of which is covered with stinging, mildly poisonous hairs, causing an instant rash.
- Especially, most species of herb genus Urtica, the stinging nettles:
- Most, but not all, subspecies of Urtica dioica,
- Urtica incisa;
- Wood nettle (Laportea canadensis);
- Bull nettles and spurge nettles of genus Cnidoscolus:
- Cnidoscolus stimulosus, bull nettle, spurge nettle,
- Cnidoscolus texanus, Texas bull nettle,
- Cnidoscolus urens, bull nettle,
- Nettle trees or tree nettles:
- Various species of the genus Dendrocnide,
- Urera baccifera,
- Urtica ferox;
- rock nettle (Eucnide);
- small-leaved nettle (Dendrocnide photinophylla).
- Especially, most species of herb genus Urtica, the stinging nettles:
- Certain plants that have spines or prickles:
- Certain non-stinging plants, mostly in the family Lamiaceae, that resemble the species of Urtica:
- dead nettle, dumb nettle (Lamium), particularly Lamium album, white nettle;
- false nettle (Boehmeria, family Urticaceae);
- flame nettle or painted nettle (Coleus);
- hedge nettle (Stachys);
- hemp nettle (Galeopsis);
- horse nettle Agastache urticifolia,
- nilgiri nettle, Himalayan giant nettle (Girardinia diversifolia, family Urticaceae).
- Loosely, anything which causes a similarly stinging rash, such as a jellyfish or sea nettle.
Derived terms
Derived terms
|
Translations
stinging herb of genus Urtica
|
|
deadnettle — see deadnettle
Verb
nettle (third-person singular simple present nettles, present participle nettling, simple past and past participle nettled) (transitive)
- (literally) Of the nettle plant and similar physical causes, to sting causing a rash in someone.
- The children were badly nettled after playing in the field.
- (figuratively) To pique, irritate, vex or provoke someone.
- 1985, United States. Foreign Broadcast Information Service, Daily Report: People's Republic of China (issues 180-189, page 42)
- Liu, whose political writings had nettled the Taiwanese authorities, was assassinated on October 15, last year, in Daly City […]
- 1985, United States. Foreign Broadcast Information Service, Daily Report: People's Republic of China (issues 180-189, page 42)
Translations
of the nettle plant etc., to sting causing a rash
to pique, irritate, vex or provoke someone