urticate

American

[ur-ti-keyt] / ˈɜr tɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object)

urticated, urticating

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

verb (used without object)

urticated, urticating

to sting in the manner of a nettle.

urticate British

/ ˈɜːtɪˌkeɪt /

adjective

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

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.

See Examples For:

urticate

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