houseleek

[hous-leek]

noun

1. Also called old-man-and-old-woman. a succulent plant, Sempervivum tectorum, of the stonecrop family, native to Europe, having reddish flowers and leaves forming dense basal rosettes.

2. any other plant of the genus Sempervivum.

houseleek

/ ˈhaʊsˌliːk /

noun

1. Also called: hen-and-chickens. any Old World crassulaceous plant of the genus Sempervivum, esp S. tectorum, which has a rosette of succulent leaves and pinkish flowers: grows on walls

Word History and Origins

Origin of houseleek¹

First recorded in 1325–75, houseleek is from the Middle English word howsleke. See house, leek

Example Sentences

That cottage was standing there at the period of which I now write; and at the bottom of that hill, amongst the wood, and close by the little stream nearly where the foot-bridge now carries the traveller over dryshod, was another hut, half concealed by the trees, and covered over with well nigh as much moss and houseleek as actual thatch.

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Parsley, Chervil, and Houseleek Leaves, lightly pounded, have also been successfully employed; and these Applications are preferable to Vinegar, when a Wound is joined to the Bruise.

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Those which are the most cried up, are the Juice of Purslain, of Lettuce, of Houseleek, and of Vervain.

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HOUSELEEK, Sempervivum, a genus of ornamental evergreen plants belonging to the natural order Crassulaceae.

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The houseleek has been known variously as the houselick, homewort or great houseleek.

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