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beggar's lice

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beg⋅gar's-lice

[beg-erz-lahys]
–noun, plural -lice.
1. (used with a singular or plural verb) any of several plants, esp. of the genera Cynoglossum and Hackelia, having small, prickly fruits that stick to clothing.
2. (used with a plural verb) the fruits or seeds of such a plant.
Also, beg⋅gar-lice [beg-er-lahys] .


Origin:
1840–50, Americanism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To beggar's lice
beg·gar's lice   (běg'ərz)
n.   (used with a sing. or pl. verb)
  1. Any of several plants, such as the stickseed, having small, often prickly fruits that cling readily to clothing or animal fur.

  2. The fruit of any of these plants.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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