motherwort

American  

[muhth-er-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈmʌð ərˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

1. a European plant, Leonorus cardiaca, of the mint family, an introduced weed in the U.S., having cut leaves with a whorl of lavender flowers in the axils.

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motherwort British  

/ ˈmʌðəˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of several plants of the Eurasian genus Leonurus, esp L. cardiaca, having divided leaves and clusters of small purple or pink flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

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Etymology

Origin of motherwort

1350–1400; Middle English moderwort ( see mother ¹, wort ²), so called because believed helpful for diseases of the womb

Example Sentences

She rarely spoke and smiled even more rarely, just moved about the house carrying vats of cramp bark and motherwort.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Mother was in the kitchen when I arrived, stirring a stew with one hand and with the other holding the phone and explaining the properties of motherwort.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

I edged closer, trying to draw her attention, but she was wholly absorbed in listening to her mother, who was explaining how cramp bark and motherwort should be administered to treat post-birth contractions.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Not less closely did such old garden weeds as motherwort, groundsel, chickweed, and wild mustard cling to the white man.

From Home Life in Colonial Days by Earle, Alice Morse

Mullein, motherwort, thoroughwort, golden-rod, everlasting, burdock-leaves, may-weed, must all be dried and hung up in the garret.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 108, October, 1866 by Various