cress

American  

[kres] / krɛs /

noun

1. any of various plants of the mustard family, especially the watercress, having pungent-tasting leaves often used for salad and as a garnish.

2. any of various similar plants.

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cress British  

/ krɛs /

noun

1. any of various plants of the genera Lepidium , Cardamine , Arabis , etc, having pungent-tasting leaves often used in salads and as a garnish: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) See also watercress garden cress

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Other Word Forms

• cressy adjective

Etymology

Origin of cress

before 900; Middle English cresse, Old English cress ( a ), cresse; cognate with Dutch kers, German Kresse

Example Sentences

Her subject was Arabidopsis thaliana, a mustard also known as mouse-ear cress, that has been described as a model plant for genome gnalysis.

From Salon

Eventually I want to do the cress full time, but this way I’ve been able to ease my way in, without taking on too much of a financial gamble.”

From BBC

To better understand the molecular pathways that allow ABA to increase, the research team analyzed public RNA sequencing data on thale cress, or Arabidopsis thaliana.

From Science Daily

"In the model plant thale cress, we have discovered the signal that activates the female gamete to form a new seed," says Grossniklaus.

From Science Daily

So far, nearly 200 plants have been trialled and several new candidate plants, including pak choi, cress and kale, were found suitable.

From Salon