pilewort

[pahyl-wurt, -wawrt]

noun

1. Also called fireweed. a weedy composite plant, Erechtites hieracifolia, having narrow flower heads enclosed in green bracts.

2. a North American figwort, Scrophularia marilandica, having small, greenish flowers.

3. lesser celandine.

pilewort

/ ˈpaɪlˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of several plants, such as lesser celandine, thought to be effective in treating piles

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilewort¹

1570–80; pile ⁴ + wort ¹, so called from its use in medicine

Example Sentences

The pilewort rears her joyous head, To the sunbeam widely spread, Whilst her little glossy eye Glows with a deep and yellow dye.

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