nettle

American  

[net-l] / ˈnɛt l /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Urtica, covered with stinging hairs.

2. any of various allied or similar plants.

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verb (used with object)

nettled, nettling

1. to irritate, annoy, or provoke.

2. to sting as a nettle does.

idioms

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

nettle British  

/ 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. to attempt or approach something with boldness and courage

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verb

1. to bother; irritate

2. to sting as a nettle does

Other Word Forms

• nettle-like adjective
• nettlelike adjective
• nettler noun
• nettly adjective
• unnettled adjective

Etymology

Origin of nettle

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