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urticate

American  
[ur-ti-keyt] / ˈɜr tɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object)

urticated, urticating

  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)

urticated, urticating

  1. to sting in the manner of a nettle.

urticate British  
/ ˈɜːtɪˌkeɪt /

adjective

  1. Also: urticant.  characterized by the presence of weals

"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

verb

  1. to perform urtication

"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

Etymology

Origin of urticate

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When beacons urticate each eye, Noctivagous ghouls haste to stroke Each goblin shank of hoary sage.

From Betelguese A Trip Through Hell by de Esque, Jean

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.