nettle

[ net-l ]

noun

1. any plant of the genus Urtica, covered with stinging hairs. Compare nettle family.
2. any of various allied or similar plants.

verb (used with object)

, net·tled, net·tling.

1. to irritate, annoy, or provoke.
2. to sting as a nettle does.

nettle

/ ˈnɛtəl /

noun

1. any weedy plant of the temperate urticaceous genus Urtica, such as U. dioica ( stinging nettle ), having serrated leaves with stinging hairs and greenish flowers
2. any of various other urticaceous plants with stinging hairs or spines
3. any of various plants that resemble urticaceous nettles, such as the dead-nettle, hemp nettle, and horse nettle
4. grasp the nettle
   to attempt or approach something with boldness and courage

verb

1. to bother; irritate
2. to sting as a nettle does

Derived Forms

• ˈnettly, adjective
• ˈnettle-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• nettle·like adjective
• nettler noun
• nettly adjective
• un·nettled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nettle¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English netele (noun); cognate with Dutch netel, German Nessel, Norwegian netla

Word History and Origins

Origin of nettle¹

Old English netele; related to Old High German nazza (German Nessel )

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. grasp the nettle, Australian. to undertake or tackle an unpleasant task.

Example Sentences

"Stinging nettles are a come again plant. Cow parsley, sorrel too. Strangely you can pick a lot of salads now," he says.

From BBC

But to honour those commitments the chancellor will need to “grasp the nettle” and come up with £16bn more on top of £9bn tax rises set out in the Labour manifesto, the IFS said.

From BBC

“I also pinch myself or put Deep Heat on so it burns. In trail races I deliberately run through stinging nettles.”

From BBC

Speaking near the area she was found, now overgrown with brambles, nettles and horse chestnut trees, detective Franc Dannerolle says the teenager’s body was “disposed of like garbage”.

From BBC

Preparations for the competition have been taking place all week; trimming away nettles, picking up litter and cutting the grass.

From BBC