spurrey

[ spur-ee, spuhr-ee ]

noun

, plural spur·ries.

1. spurry.

spurrey

/ ˈspʌrɪ /

noun

1. any of several low-growing caryophyllaceous plants of the European genus Spergula, esp S. arvensis, having whorled leaves and small white flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of spurrey¹

C16: from Dutch spurrie, perhaps from Medieval Latin spergula; related to German Spergel

Example Sentences

Coastal plant life abounds: rock samphire, greater sea spurrey, rare ferns like the primitive quillwort, and multiple strange and beautiful lichens unseen on the continent.

From Time

Thus in the dry sandy soil you may find broom, spurrey, sheep's fescue, pine trees, all with narrow leaves; whilst on the moister soil you may find burdock, primroses, cocksfoot and other broad-leaved plants.

From Project Gutenberg

On the road sides you see broom, heather, heath, harebells, along with gorse and bracken with milkwort nestling underneath: crested dog's tail and sheep's fescue are common grasses, while spurrey, knotwood, corn marigold, are a few of the numerous weeds in the arable fields.

From Project Gutenberg

Some plants will not tolerate it at all; such are rhododendrons, azaleas, foxgloves, spurrey, and broom; wherever you see these growing you may be sure that lime is absent.

From Project Gutenberg

The seeds of Spergula saliva, a large, smooth-seeded variety of the common cow spurrey, which is cultivated in Flanders as a pasture grass and green crop, afford, on expression, a good lamp oil.

From Project Gutenberg