glasswort

[ glas-wurt, -wawrt, glahs- ]

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Salicornia, of the amaranth family, having succulent stems with rudimentary leaves, formerly used, when burned to ashes, as a source of soda for glassmaking.

glasswort

/ ˈɡlɑːsˌwɜːt /

noun

1. Also calledmarsh samphire any plant of the chenopodiaceous genus Salicornia, of salt marshes, having fleshy stems and scalelike leaves: formerly used as a source of soda for glass-making
2. another name for saltwort

Word History and Origins

Origin of glasswort¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; glass + wort ²

Example Sentences

The jointed glasswort Salicornia is here meant, not the true sampire, the crithmum maritimum.

From Project Gutenberg