cocklebur
Americannoun
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any composite plant of the genus Xanthium, comprising coarse weeds with spiny burs.
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the burdock, Arctium lappa.
noun
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any coarse weed of the genus Xanthium, having spiny burs: family Asteraceae (composites)
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the bur of any of these plants
Etymology
Origin of cocklebur
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.
To get out of the "favorite son" category, "Cocklebur Bill" Murray prepared to run in the Maryland preferential Primaries next May, take a licking from Governor Ritchie.
From Time Magazine Archive
Even today he cultivates the popular use of "Alfalfa Bill" rather than the less common "Cocklebur Bill" which his political enemies tried to fasten on him.
From Time Magazine Archive
It was 4:30 a.m. when William Henry Murray Jr., son of Governor "Cocklebur Bill" Murray of Oklahoma, an unidentified woman and the ship's third officer left the cabin of Assistant Purser Joseph Apud.
From Time Magazine Archive
Cocklebur Bill" Murray: "I've often said that men would take a cussing or a cold or a rail off your fence, but would not take good advice.
From Time Magazine Archive
Body of the bur more than twice as long as thick; a common weed Cocklebur, Xanthium commune. 6b.
From The Plants of Michigan Simple Keys for the Identification of the Native Seed Plants of the State by Gleason, Henry Allan
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.
