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bittercress

American  
[bit-er-kres] / ˈbɪt ərˌkrɛs /

noun

  1. any cruciferous plant of the genus Cardamine, including the white-flowered hairy bittercress (C. hirsuta ) of widespread distribution and the purple-flowered coralroot bittercress (C. bulbifera ), predominantly of Finland.


bittercress British  
/ ˈbɪtəˌkrɛs /

noun

  1. one of several perennial or annual plants of the genus Cardamine , that are related to lady's-smock, including hairy bittercress ( C. hirsuta ), a common weed resembling shepherd's purse, with which it is often confused: family: Brassicaceae (crucifers)

"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 bittercress

First recorded in 1855–60; bitter ( def. ) + cress ( def. )


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:

So far, using her recipes, I’ve had great success putting hairy bittercress, purple deadnettles, lilac petals, and dandelions to use.

From The Verge ● Dec. 24, 2021

Forget the impending dandelions and violets; I’m talking about established winter weeds, whose roots now go deep — interlopers like henbit, chickweed, bittercress and ground ivy.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 29, 2021

The moose is garnished with flecks of pickled winter chanterelles, dark bittercress leaves and crisp, celadon-green caribou moss.

From New York Times ● Jul. 19, 2017

Among English weeds, the little bittercress that grows on dry walls and hedge-banks forms an excellent example of the same device.

From Science in Arcady by Grant Allen

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