king devil

noun

any of several European hawkweeds introduced into northeastern North America, where they are troublesome weeds.

Origin of king devil

First recorded in 1890–95

A king-devil, come fresh out of hell, could scarcely have looked more terrible.
Caesar's Column | Ignatius Donnelly
He wondered if perhaps king devil had not bounced him up more than people realized.
Sunny Slopes | Ethel Hueston
Each has a king-devil or arch-demon with a posse of subalterns or evil spirits.
The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors | Kersey Graves
He is the king-devil, and much the Commandant wants to cage him.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 93, July, 1865 | Various

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