groundsel

¹

[ ground-suhl ]

noun

1. any composite plant of the genus Senecio, especially S. vulgaris, a common weed having clusters of small yellow disk flowers without rays.

groundsel

²

[ ground-suhl ]

noun

1. groundsill.

groundsel

/ ˈɡraʊnsəl /

noun

1. See ragwort
   any of certain plants of the genus Senecio, esp S. vulgaris, a Eurasian weed with heads of small yellow flowers: family Asteraceae (composites) See also ragwort
2. groundsel tree
   groundsel tree a shrub, Baccharis halimifolia, of E North America, with white plumelike fruits: family Asteraceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of groundsel¹

before 900; Middle English grundeswili ( e ), groundeswel, Old English grundeswelge, gundeswelge; compare Old English gund pus, swelgan to swallow, absorb (from its use in medicine); the -r- is by folk etymology from association with ground ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of groundsel¹

Old English grundeswelge , changed from gundeswilge, from gund pus + swelgan to swallow; after its use in poultices on abscesses

Example Sentences

Besides the groundsel and the chick-weed, he has small pieces of turf for sale, of which larks are very fond.

From Project Gutenberg

So it is, nevertheless, as lightly regarded by Nature or by man in its native home as groundsel is by us.

From Project Gutenberg

It feeds on dock, chickweed, groundsel, and other low plants.

From Project Gutenberg

And every morning I cleaned the cage out nicely, and put fresh sand and water, and seed, and groundsel.

From Project Gutenberg

Every year thousands of ragweed and groundsel seeds must be blown on to the shale-heap, but they never manage to grow there.

From Project Gutenberg