woodruff

¹

[ wood-ruhf, -ruhf ]

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Asperula or Galium, of the madder family, as G. odoratum sweet woodruff, a fragrant plant with small white flowers.

Woodruff

²

[ wood-ruhf ]

noun

1. Hiram, 1817–67, Canadian driver, trainer, and breeder of harness-racing horses.

woodruff

/ ˈwʊdrʌf /

noun

1. any of several rubiaceous plants of the genus Galium , esp G. odoratum ( sweet woodruff ), of Eurasia, which has small sweet-scented white flowers and whorls of narrow fragrant leaves used to flavour wine and liqueurs and in perfumery

Word History and Origins

Origin of woodruff¹

before 1000; Middle English woderove, Old English wudurofe, wudurife, equivalent to wudu wood ¹ + -rofe, -rife, element of uncertain meaning; compare German Rübe carrot

Word History and Origins

Origin of woodruff¹

Old English wudurofe, from wood ¹+ rōfe, related to Old High German ruoba, Middle Low German rōve (beet)root, Latin rēpere to creep

Example Sentences

Woodruff’s donation drew attention in 2015, amid criticism that ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos had donated $75,000 to the foundation over the three previous years.

From Washington Post

You’ve got to match it, especially when you’re going up against Woodruff.

From Washington Post

Woodruff, who has quietly become one of the best pitchers in the league, has increased his average fastball velocity to nearly 97 mph.

From FiveThirtyEight

If Williams does eventually bounce back to his 2020 form, Hader keeps throwing smoke and Burnes and Woodruff continue to be ace-level hurlers, the Brewers’ pitching could really be something to reckon with in the postseason.

From FiveThirtyEight

Woodruff also cautions that the sample size from which both efficacy numbers are derived is relatively small.

From Popular-Science

Bob and Lee Woodruff, the co-founders of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, will be on hand to accept the PepsiCo Foundation donation.

From The Daily Beast

The web stream will include a click-to-donate button for those who wish to donate to the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

From The Daily Beast

Dallas Buyers Club is based on the real-life story of Ron Woodruff, who is HIV positive but not gay.

From The Daily Beast

Betsy Woodruff at the National Review Institute cataloged multiple examples of Reid's investment strategy.

From The Daily Beast

ABC correspondent Bob Woodruff begins the segment by asking, “Did you have an affair with Miss Hunter?”

From The Daily Beast

Mrs. Woodruff, the landlady, was nice and motherly enough, but she was not young and did not fit into his fancies.

From Project Gutenberg

As No. 2, but add, instead of fruit, some sprigs of woodruff.

From Project Gutenberg

Elders Kimball and Woodruff pointed out the road this forenoon.

From Project Gutenberg

About this time a badger was brought to the wagons which Brother Woodruff had killed.

From Project Gutenberg

Elders Taylor and Woodruff were the first of their quorum to start on their mission.

From Project Gutenberg