nettle
any plant of the genus Urtica, covered with stinging hairs.: Compare nettle family.
any of various allied or similar plants.
to irritate, annoy, or provoke.
to sting as a nettle does.
Idioms about nettle
grasp the nettle, Australian. to undertake or tackle an unpleasant task.
Origin of nettle
1Other words from nettle
- net·tle·like, adjective
- nettler, noun
- nettly, adjective
- un·net·tled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use nettle in a sentence
Lincoln began these remarks by good-humored but nettling chaffing of his opponent.
These hairs are capable of producing a marked nettling effect when they come in contact with the skin.
Handbook of Medical Entomology | William Albert RileySibine stimulea (Empretia stimulea), or the saddle-back caterpillar (fig. 32), is another which possesses nettling hairs.
Handbook of Medical Entomology | William Albert RileyAutomeris io is the best known of the nettling caterpillars.
Handbook of Medical Entomology | William Albert RileyNettling properties may be possessed by the hairs of the insect.
Handbook of Medical Entomology | William Albert Riley
British Dictionary definitions for nettle
/ (ˈnɛtəl) /
any weedy plant of the temperate urticaceous genus Urtica, such as U. dioica (stinging nettle), having serrated leaves with stinging hairs and greenish flowers
any of various other urticaceous plants with stinging hairs or spines
any of various plants that resemble urticaceous nettles, such as the dead-nettle, hemp nettle, and horse nettle
grasp the nettle to attempt or approach something with boldness and courage
to bother; irritate
to sting as a nettle does
Origin of nettle
1Derived forms of nettle
- nettle-like, adjective
- nettly, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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