spurge

American  

[spurj] / spɜrdʒ /

noun

1. any of numerous plants of the genus Euphorbia, having a milky juice and flowers with no petals or sepals.

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spurge British  

/ spɜːdʒ /

noun

1. any of various euphorbiaceous plants of the genus Euphorbia that have milky sap and small flowers typically surrounded by conspicuous bracts. Some species have purgative properties

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Etymology

Origin of spurge

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French espurge, noun derivative of espurgier to cleanse < Latin expurgāre. See ex- ¹, purge

Example Sentences

Demand for luxury goods has soared after lockdowns as customers spurge on high-end goods.

From Reuters • Feb. 18, 2022

A couple of cross members on the arbor have broken, planks that retain beds have decayed and paths meticulously weeded just a month ago are full of nutsedge and prostrate spurge again.

From Washington Post • Sep. 7, 2021

I am thinking of you, mat-forming little spotted spurge, Euphorbia maculata, scourge of gravel driveways and patio crevices.

From New York Times • May 8, 2020

State officials added myrtle spurge to the cast of biological miscreants last year, assigning it to the “prohibited” class, making it unlawful to sell in Utah.

From Washington Times • May 11, 2018

No princes had lived in those wretched hovels, no red-robed bishops, only farmers and laborers whose stories no one had written down, and now they were lost, buried under wild thyme and fast-growing spurge.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke