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

Around them lay, amid beds of nettles and great dock leaves, and darnel and tangles of briars, and tall foxgloves and deadly nightshade, the broken pillars of a marble temple.

From A Child's Book of Saints by Robinson, T. H. (Thomas Heath)

Dr. Thomson gives unequivocal testimony, at the same time, that at the present day no instance is known of the growth of darnel among the wheat being caused by the malicious act of an enemy.

From The Parables of Our Lord by Arnot, William

I think the Duke of Burgundy will fast, Before he’ll buy again at such a rate: ’Twas full of darnel: do you like the taste?”

From Folk-lore of Shakespeare by Thiselton-Dyer, Thomas Firminger

Where the plump barley-grain so oft we sowed, There but wild oats and barren darnel spring; For tender violet and narcissus bright Thistle and prickly thorn uprear their heads.

From The Bucolics and Eclogues by Virgil

The grass was rank, but it had been mown down for this occasion round the tombs of the Ironsydes, though elsewhere darnel rose knee deep and many venerable stones slanted out of it.

From The Spinners by Phillpotts, Eden