dead nettle

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Lamium, of the mint family, native to the Old World, having opposite leaves and clusters of small reddish or white flowers.

dead-nettle

noun

1. any Eurasian plant of the genus Lamium, such as L. alba (white dead-nettle), having leaves resembling nettles but lacking stinging hairs: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

Word History and Origins

Origin of dead nettle¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

A curious dark blue dead-nettle (Dracocephalum speciosum) was found on dry ground at the same altitude.

From Project Gutenberg

But the yellow dead–nettle is the most interesting; it gives so useful a lesson in practical botany.

From Project Gutenberg

Our common henbit dead-nettle (Lamium amplexicaule) produces cleistogamic flowers, as do also some orchids.

From Project Gutenberg

But the nettle here referred to was probably the stingless dead-nettle.

From Project Gutenberg

Its flowers resemble the scales in colour, and the dead-nettle in shape.

From Project Gutenberg