vetch

[ vech ]

noun

1. any of several mostly climbing plants belonging to the genus Vicia, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves ending in tendrils and bearing pealike flowers, especially V. sativa spring vetch, cultivated for forage and soil improvement.
2. any of various allied plants, as Lathyrus sativus, of Europe, cultivated for their edible seeds and for forage.
3. the beanlike seed or fruit of any such plant.

vetch

/ vɛtʃ /

noun

1. any of various climbing leguminous plants of the temperate genus Vicia, esp V. sativa, having pinnate leaves, typically blue or purple flowers, and tendrils on the stems
2. any of various similar and related plants, such as Lathyrus sativus, cultivated in parts of Europe, and the kidney vetch
3. the beanlike fruit of any of these plants

Other Words From

• vetchlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vetch¹

1325–75; Middle English ve ( c ) che < Anglo-French; Old French vecce ( French vesce ) < Latin vicia

Word History and Origins

Origin of vetch¹

C14: fecche, from Old French veche, from Latin vicia

Example Sentences

Next, Fieber-Beyer will try growing hairy vetch seeds in that faux asteroid dirt, let the plants decay and then mix the dead plant matter throughout the soil.

From Science News

"But just look at me for a moment, pet, as you go by," cried the purple vetch by the hedge.

From Project Gutenberg

The other name for the Vetch is Tares, which is, no doubt, an old English word that has never been satisfactorily explained.

From Project Gutenberg

Think of the divine old man growing a sort of vetch in his garden to cram his pockets with for the deer in Kensington Garden.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, glancing toward the door, she asked breathlessly, "Didn't Gideon Vetch come with you?"

From Project Gutenberg

It never ceased, this piteous sobbing, until at last the doctor went out, and left Corinna alone with the girl and Gideon Vetch.

From Project Gutenberg