sorrel

¹

[ sawr-uhl, sor- ]

noun

1. light reddish-brown.
2. a horse of this color, often with a light-colored mane and tail.

adjective

1. of the color sorrel.

sorrel

²

[ sawr-uhl, sor- ]

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Rumex, of the buckwheat family, having edible acid leaves used in salads, sauces, etc.
2. any of various sour-juiced plants of the genus Oxalis. Compare wood sorrel.
3. any of various similar plants.

sorrel

¹

/ ˈsɒrəl /

noun

1. any of several polygonaceous plants of the genus Rumex, esp R. acetosa, of Eurasia and North America, having acid-tasting leaves used in salads and sauces See also dock 4 sheep sorrel
2. short for wood sorrel

sorrel

²

/ ˈsɒrəl /

noun

1. 1. a light brown to brownish-orange colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      a sorrel carpet

2. a horse of this colour

Word History and Origins

Origin of sorrel¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Old French sorel, equivalent to sor brown (< Germanic ) + -el diminutive suffix; -elle

Origin of sorrel²

1350–1400; Middle English sorell < Old French surele, equivalent to sur sour (< Germanic; akin to Old High German sūr sour) + -el diminutive suffix; -elle

Word History and Origins

Origin of sorrel¹

C14: from Old French surele, from sur sour, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German sūr sour

Origin of sorrel²

C15: from Old French sorel, from sor a reddish brown, of Germanic origin; related to Middle Dutch soor desiccated

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

So we end up sharing all types of rare herbs, sheep's sorrel, unusual peppers and so much more with our guests.

From Salon

If I go to Sqirl, I really like the sorrel pesto rice bowl, or the frittata thing they do is beautiful.

From Los Angeles Times

However, in her quest to find another rare wild plant - a green-leaved herb related to rhubarb and sorrel, which grows only at the edge of beaches, or at the bottom of cliffs - she almost drowned.

From BBC

The dish at the heart of the book is a dry-aged strip loin of beef with tomato and sorrel, and it is almost that simple a dish.

From Salon