urticate

[ ur-ti-keyt ]

verb (used with object),ur·ti·cat·ed, ur·ti·cat·ing.
  1. to sting with or as if with nettles.

  2. to whip with or as if with nettles, especially so as to produce a stinging sensation; flog; lash.

verb (used without object),ur·ti·cat·ed, ur·ti·cat·ing.
  1. to sting in the manner of a nettle.

Origin of urticate

1
1835–45; <Medieval Latin urtīcātus (past participle of urtīcāre to sting), equivalent to Latin urtīc(a) nettle + -ātus-ate1

Words Nearby urticate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for urticate

urticate

/ (ˈɜːtɪˌkeɪt) /


adjective
  1. Also: urticant (ˈɜːtɪkənt) characterized by the presence of weals

verb
  1. to perform urtication

Origin of urticate

1
C19: from Medieval Latin urtīcāre to sting, from Latin urtīca a nettle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012