vetchling

[ vech-ling ]

noun

1. any of several slender, climbing plants belonging to the genus Lathyrus, of the legume family, similar to the vetch but having a winged or angular stem, as L. palustris, of North America.

vetchling

/ ˈvɛtʃlɪŋ /

noun

1. any of various leguminous tendril-climbing plants of the genus Lathyrus, esp L. pratensis ( meadow vetchling ), mainly of N temperate regions, having winged or angled stems and showy flowers See also sweet pea

Word History and Origins

Origin of vetchling¹

First recorded in 1570–80; vetch + -ling ¹

Example Sentences

The yellow meadow vetchling is a beautiful, bright-yellow, pea-like flower, that dearly loves a snug corner under a hedge or bush of furze.

From Project Gutenberg

A yellow vetchling, too, is now opening its yellow petals beside the Long Ditton road: another summer flower, which comes in as the blue veronica is leaving the sward.

From Project Gutenberg

Corn-marigold was gay again in July, and the white blackberry blossoms came with crane's bill and flax, campion and willow-herb, speedwell and vetchling.

From Project Gutenberg

The yellow vetchling had climbed up from the ditch and opened its flower, and there were young nuts on the hazel bough.

From Project Gutenberg

On slender stalks the yellow vetchling blooms, reaching ambitiously as tall as the lowest of the brambles.

From Project Gutenberg