ribwort

[ rib-wurt, -wawrt ]

noun

1. English plantain.

ribwort

/ ˈrɪbˌwɜːt /

noun

1. a Eurasian plant, Plantago lanceolata , that has lancelike ribbed leaves, which form a rosette close to the ground, and a dense spike of small white flowers: family Plantaginaceae Also calledribgrass See also plantain 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of ribwort¹

1325–75; Middle English. See rib ¹, wort ²

Example Sentences

Consider the common lawn weed Plantago lanceolata, otherwise known as ribwort or buckhorn plantain, which has the longest dormancy in the United States, according to the report.

From Science Daily

This week’s Nature, however, describes the fate of a population of the insect in Nevada that evolved to prefer ribwort plantain, a weed introduced from Europe that is common in American cattle pastures.

From Economist

Rib′-band, a piece of timber bolted longitudinally to the ribs of a vessel to hold them in position; Rib′bing, an arrangement of ribs; Rib′-grass, the ribwort plantain.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

The land here is of an excellent soil, and the climate is quite healthy; the soil being full of good herbs, as mints, calamint, plantain, ribwort, trefoil, scabious, and such like.

From Project Gutenberg

The undulating green expanse was studded with the black knobs of ribwort plantain and gemmed with buttercups, which here were dotted like sparks of fire, here massed in broad bunches and splashes of color.

From Project Gutenberg