darnel

American  

[dahr-nl] / ˈdɑr nl /

noun

1. any of several grasses of the genus Lolium, having simple stems, flat leaves, and terminal spikes.

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darnel British  

/ ˈdɑːnəl /

noun

1. any of several grasses of the genus Lolium, esp L. temulentum, that grow as weeds in grain fields in Europe and Asia

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Etymology

Origin of darnel

1275–1325; Middle English; compare French (Walloon) darnelle, probably < Germanic

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

darnel

Axel's feelings, through the loss and through his anger, were like freshly prepared soil, and whatever seed fell therein, even were it darnel and cockles, must sprout up finely.

From Seed-time and Harvest A Novel by Reuter, Fritz

The poppies, corn-bottles, and darnel, he tied up into bunches.

From The Pearl Story Book A Collection of Tales, Original and Selected by Colman, Mrs. (Pamela Chandler)

This darnel is easily distinguishable from the wheat and barley when headed out, but when both are less developed, 'the closest scrutiny will often fail to detect it.

From Jesus the Christ A Study of the Messiah and His Mission According to Holy Scriptures Both Ancient and Modern by Talmage, James Edward

The darnel, on the contrary, cannot be distinguished from wheat until both are nearly ripe, and the process of separation, whether in the field or on the threshing-floor, is much more difficult.

From The Parables of Our Lord by Arnot, William

A single grain of darnel will suffice to rot a muid of wheat—a single hardened sinner will, perhaps, cause the death of us all, however innocent we be.

From The Poniard's Hilt Or Karadeucq and Ronan. A Tale of Bagauders and Vagres by Sue, Eugène