pepperwort

[ pep-er-wurt, -wawrt ]

noun

1. water clover.

pepperwort

/ ˈpɛpəˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of various temperate and tropical aquatic or marsh ferns of the genus Marsilea, having floating leaves consisting of four leaflets: family Marsileaceae
2. any of several plants of the genus Lepidium, esp L. campestre, of dry regions of Eurasia, having small white flowers and pungent seeds: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) Usual US and Canadian namepeppergrass

Word History and Origins

Origin of pepperwort¹

First recorded in 1555–65; pepper + wort ²

Example Sentences

The heat increased; warmed by the sun, the pepperwort of the cliffs and the thickets of nard began to give out a strong and intoxicating odor.

From Project Gutenberg