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nettle
[ net-l ]
noun
- any plant of the genus Urtica, covered with stinging hairs. Compare nettle family.
- any of various allied or similar plants.
verb (used with object)
- to irritate, annoy, or provoke.
- to sting as a nettle does.
nettle
/ ˈnɛtəl /
noun
- any weedy plant of the temperate urticaceous genus Urtica, such as U. dioica ( stinging nettle ), having serrated leaves with stinging hairs and greenish flowers
- any of various other urticaceous plants with stinging hairs or spines
- any of various plants that resemble urticaceous nettles, such as the dead-nettle, hemp nettle, and horse nettle
- grasp the nettlegrasp the nettle to attempt or approach something with boldness and courage
verb
- to bother; irritate
- to sting as a nettle does
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Derived Forms
- ˈnettle-ˌlike, adjective
- ˈnettly, adjective
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Other Words From
- nettle·like adjective
- nettler noun
- nettly adjective
- un·nettled adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of nettle1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of nettle1
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Idioms and Phrases
- grasp the nettle, Australian. to undertake or tackle an unpleasant task.
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Example Sentences
General exclamations of surprise and doubt greeted him from our little circle, and this seemed to nettle him somewhat.
A curious dark blue dead-nettle (Dracocephalum speciosum) was found on dry ground at the same altitude.
"Not a word," said Neeld, grasping the nettle firmly this time.
The Nettle needs no introduction; we are all too well acquainted with it, yet it is not altogether a weed to be despised.
Indeed, the temper of our eminently serene will feel the strain of a doldrum-dulness that is goaded to activity by a nettle.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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