motherwort

[ muhth-er-wurt, -wawrt ]

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.

motherwort

/ 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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of motherwort¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of motherwort¹

C14: so named because it was thought to be beneficial in uterine disorders

Example Sentences

Thus the people ascribe to the Motherwort the property of prolonging life.

From Project Gutenberg

Page 383, "motherworth and Virginia creeper" was changed to read "motherwort and Virginia creeper."

From Project Gutenberg