alfilaria

American  

[al-fil-uh-ree-uh] / ælˌfɪl əˈri ə /

noun

1. a European plant, Erodium cicutarium, of the geranium family, grown for forage in the U.S.

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alfilaria British  

/ ˌælfɪˈlɛərɪə /

noun

1. Also called: pin clover.  a geraniaceous plant, Erodium cicutarium, native to Europe, with finely divided leaves and small pink or purplish flowers. It is widely naturalized in North America and is used as fodder

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Etymology

Origin of alfilaria

1865–70, < Spanish alfilerillo, equivalent to alfiler pin (< Arabic al-khilāl the pin) + -illo diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

Ricardo himself would have questioned the sanity of any one who might have preferred the faint, musky fragrance of the alfilaria to the soothing odor of tobacco.

From Stories of the Foot-hills by Graham, Margaret Collier

There had been many winter snows and spring rains, so that the alfilaria covered the hills with a carpet of grass.

From Mavericks by Raine, William MacLeod

"Come here, you Muggins!" he called to his burro, which had strayed into the alfilaria.

From Stories of the Foot-hills by Graham, Margaret Collier

Pastures may, however, be often improved by clearing off the brush and harrowing in seed of burr clover, alfilaria, etc., at the beginning of the rainy season.

From One Thousand Questions in California Agriculture Answered by Wickson, Edward J. (Edward James)

The cow was mooing reproachfully in a cropped circle of musky alfilaria behind the shed.

From Stories of the Foot-hills by Graham, Margaret Collier